Bio-smart technologies for increasing shelf life and postharvest disease management in fruits for distant and export markets

Abstract

Postharvest management is critical for ensuring fruit quality, especially when targeting distant and export markets where prolonged storage and transit pose major challenges. Fruits are highly perishable, and postharvest diseases such as anthracnose, stem-end rot, and sooty mould often cause significant economic losses. Conventional chemical treatments, though effective, raise concerns
regarding food safety, residue levels, and environmental sustainability. Bio-smart technologies have emerged as promising alternatives by utilizing natural and ecofriendly interventions. These include secondary metabolite-based formulations, bio-control agents, organic-based fruit coatings, edible films, plant-based extracts, ethylene control mechanisms, and temperature and relative humidity alterations. These approaches for shelf life extension and maintaining fruit freshness not only prolong shelf life and reduce postharvest diseases but also ensure compliance with international quality standards. Adoption of these bio-smart interventions
can play a pivotal role in reducing postharvest losses, enhancing fruit quality for consumer acceptability, and improving the export competitiveness of Indian fruits globally.