Postharvest treatments such as surface coating, heat treatments, irradiation, and ethylene degreening improve vitamin C retention during storage of citrus fruits

Vitamin C is widely regarded as one of the most important antioxidants in citrus fruits. The rapidly growing demand for fresh citrus fruits and their derivative products has prompted researchers to study factors affecting the vitamin C content. This review discusses postharvest factors influencing vitamin C content of citrus fruits. Vitamin C content in citrus fruits can be influenced by several factors such as postharvest treatment, storage conditions as well as oxidative stress. Postharvest treatments such as surface coating, heat treatments, irradiation, and ethylene degreening lead to better vitamin C retention. Additionally, improper temperature management may negatively affect the nutritional quality of the stored produce; vitamin C loss is intensified at higher storage temperatures. Although storage conditions favorable to water loss are known to accelerate vitamin C loss, the effect of low relative humidity (RH) on vitamin C content of citrus fruits has not yet been fully elucidated. Vitamin C retention is also improved when citrus fruits are stored in modified atmosphere packaging and controlled atmosphere (CA). Although the effect of postharvest treatments on vitamin C content has been intensively studied, the influence of chemical treatments warrants more research. SourcesPostharvest factors affecting vitamin C content of citrus fruits: A reviewAsanda Mditshwa(a), Lembe Samukelo Magwaza (b), Samson Zeray Tesfay (a), Umezuruike Linus Opara (c, d)a Department of Horticultural Sciences, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africab Department of Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africac Postharvest Technology Research Laboratory, South African Research Chair in Postharvest Technology, Department of Horticultural Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africad Postharvest Technology Research Laboratory, South African Research Chair in Postharvest Technology, Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7602, South AfricaScientia Horticulturae, Volume 218, 14 April 2017, Pages 95?104 The picture belongs to the Speed Pro +Plus range of citrus juice machines for supermarkets, by?Zumex