IMPROVING QUALITY AND SAFETY OF INTACT AND FRESH-CUT PRODUCE

The objective of this research will be: (1) to gain a greater understanding of how postharvest handling and fresh-cut processing conditions affect plant metabolism, microbial growth and their interactions; (2) to develop techniques to improve quality and safety of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables; and (3) to develop and correlate imaging technology and postharvest handling procedures for quality maintenance of fresh and fresh-cut produce.