Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Abstract

Review on the Role of Improved Storage Technologies in Post-Harvest Loss Reduction of Perishable Crops and Enhancing Food and Nutrition Security

Tolcha Techane Aemu*

Perishables crops are the crops which have high moisture content and short shelf life. Most of them are seasonal and some are highly perishable due to their moisture content. The storage of perishable crops is extraordinarily cooperated inside a quick time of harvest except the crop must be cooled directly to manipulate post-harvest losses. The major problem during storage is post-harvest losses and changes quality parameters. According to most of research and review show, approximates 40%-50% perishable crops loss in the supply chain at globally level. In Ethiopia also, post-harvest loss of perishable crops is 50% due to lack of appropriate post-harvest handling practice and improved storage technologies. In order to reduce post-harvest loss of perishable crops and enhance food and nutrition security, contribution and roles of low cost and improved storage technologies is great. Improved storage technologies reduce post-harvest losses of perishable crops by controlling temperature, concentration of gases and relative humidity of the storage area. Therefore, the aim of this review paper is to review studies made by several researchers and reviewers on the roles of improved storage technologies in post-harvest loss reduction of perishables crops and enhances food and nutrition security. Hence, proper storage of the perishable crops using improved storage technologies would prolong their shelf life and availability by reducing the post-harvest loss. Some storage technologies like low cost storage can be beneficial for farmers needing a small-scale storage system. On the other hand, improved storage technology includes refrigerated storages like cold storages, controlled atmospheric storage, modified atmosphere storage and hypobaric storage play great role to reduce post-harvest loss of perishable crops. So to mitigate or alleviate high post-harvest loss of perishable crops and to solve problems of food and nutrition security, using improved storage technology is very important and determinant.

Published Date: 2023-03-28; Received Date: 2022-03-11