Review on UV-C radiation and ultrasound treatments to improve the postharvest of fruits and vegetables

Ultraviolet-C radiation and ultrasound technology are widely accepted and continuously being appraised as alternatives to conventional thermal techniques for decontamination of fruits and vegetables. However, studies in these areas have presented challenges related to - quality, - safety, - limited capability, and - cost of energy. This review paper presents an up-to-date summary of applications of ultraviolet-C radiation and ultrasound technology for postharvest handling of fruits and vegetables from relevant literature. The limitations associated with applications of ultraviolet-C radiation and ultrasound technology individually has prompted their combination alongside other antimicrobial strategies for enhanced bactericidal effect. The combination of ultraviolet-C radiation and ultrasound technology as a hurdle approach also provides enhanced efficiency, cost effectiveness, and reduced processing time without compromising quality. The review includes further scope of industrial-led collaboration and commercialization of ultraviolet-C radiation and ultrasound technology such as scale-up studies and process optimization. Index1. Introduction 2. Applications of UV-C Radiation in Postharvest Handling of Fruits and Vegetables2.1. Disinfecting Systems and Factors Affecting Efficiency2.2. Effects of UV-C Radiation on Microorganism Inactivation and Quality of Fruits and Vegetables 3. Applications of US Technology in Postharvest Handling of Fruits and Vegetables3.1. Disinfecting Systems and Factors Affecting Efficiency3.2. Effects of US Technology on Microorganism Inactivation and Quality of Fruits and Vegetables 4. Combination of UV-C Radiation and US Technology 5. Future Perspectives and Industrial Relevance 6. Conclusions Figure - Disinfecting systems for UV-C radiation decontamination of fruits and vegetables. (a) Water-assisted UV-C set-up. Reproduced with permission from Collazo et al., International Journal of Food Microbiology; published by Elsevier, 2019. (b) Schematic diagram of a commercial UV-C treatment chamber. Reproduced with permission from Yan et al., Postharvest Biology and Technology; published by Elsevier, 2014. (c) Benchtop UV-C set-up with (i) tray system, (ii) rotating roller bearing, and (iii) UV-C lamps and cooling system. Reproduced with permission from Taze and Unluturk, Scientia Horticulturae; published by Elsevier, 2018 (Figure 1 from the original paper)SourceA Review on Individual and Combination Technologies of UV-C Radiation and Ultrasound in Postharvest Handling of Fruits and VegetablesOkon Johnson Esua, Nyuk Ling Chin, Yus Aniza Yusof, and Rashidah SukorProcesses 2020, 8(11), 1433; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8111433MDPI, https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/8/11/1433?type=check_update&version=2