Nutrient quality characteristics of fresh tomatoes subjected to various transportation and disinfection treatments under commercial conditions in South African supply chains

ABSTRACT This study investigated effects of disinfection treatments and storage conditions on the nutrient quality characteristics of tomatoes harvested and transported under typical commercial conditions in South Africa. The experimental treatments included harvest of tomatoes in two seasons, three maturity stages, three transportation conditions (varying distances and road surface profiles), four disinfection treatments (control, hot water, chlorinated or anolyte water in combination with biocontrol) and two storage conditions (cold (11°C) and ambient). For fruit harvested in winter, treatment with hot water (also for summer harvest) or with anolyte water + biocontrol and storage in cold conditions resulted in the highest concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA) compared with the other treatments. Fruit transported along the shorter and relatively smoother roads maintained higher AA (summer harvest) and lycopene concentrations compared with fruit transported the longest distance with moderately rough surface profile. The harvesting season and the disinfection treatments had significant effects on the concentrations of sugars. The nutrient characteristics of the tomatoes in the supply chain were shown to be affected not only by environmental and postharvest practices, but also by the road quality, demonstrated for the first time in this study. Cold storage of tomatoes, disinfection with hot water or anolyte water + biocontrol, and transportation planning to minimise the use of rough road surfaces and to use the shortest distances to markets, were recommended as best practices for the industry. Options for improvement of fruit packaging to provide adequate cushioning against physical damage during transportation should be investigated.