: Complex molecules like starches break down into simple sugars, and volatile compounds are synthesized to create distinct aromas.
Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fruits and Vegetables
Postharvest physiology focuses on how harvested plants respond to technologies used to extend shelf life and delay (plant death). Fruits and vegetables remain living tissues even after harvest, continuing biological processes like respiration and transpiration .
. High temperatures accelerate this, leading to faster deterioration.
: The loss of moisture through pores like stomata and lenticels . Excessive water loss leads to shriveling and weight loss.
For a comprehensive guide on the , the authoritative textbook by Elhadi M. Yahia and Armando Carrillo-Lopez is the primary resource. Core Concepts of Postharvest Physiology