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Open research questions in Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management

131 gap statements mined from Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 1,101 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • The study recognizes the need for a systematic evaluation of packaging methods for dried foods.

    Effects of different packaging methods on the storage quality of mulberry–purple potato compound freeze-dried fruit blocks · 2026 · DOI

  • Rice hull ash, milled rice hull, and rice bran may be explored further as alternative materials, but their cost-effectiveness should be carefully considered because they produced weaker economic outcomes under the conditions of this study.

    Extending the Storage Life of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Using Different Rice Hull-Based By-Products · 2026 · DOI

  • The findings address a documented gap in the literature, where systematic comparative evidence across biochemically diverse carrot genotypes particularly pigmented materials with contrasting carotenoid and anthocyanin profiles under realistic storage conditions has been largely absent.

    Temporal Dynamics of Postharvest Quality in Carrot Genotypes: A Multidimensional Analysis of Physicochemical, Biofunctional, Spectral, and Sensory Attributes · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should investigate the effect of hot water and salicylic acid treatment on other mango cultivars. Future research should explore the potential of the combined treatment of hot water and salicylic acid for preserving the postharvest quality of other fruits.

    Combined application of hot water and salicylic acid treatment preserves postharvest quality of mangoes · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for more effective techniques for preserving the postharvest quality of mangoes. The current methods for preserving mangoes have limitations, and there is a gap in the literature on the effect of hot water and salicylic acid treatment on the postharvest quality of mangoes.

    Combined application of hot water and salicylic acid treatment preserves postharvest quality of mangoes · 2026 · DOI

  • Given that the specific roles of peroxidase family members vary across superfamilies and different plant species, further research is needed to identify the dominant isoforms within specific crops.

    What are the primary roles of peroxidases in enzymatic browning of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, browning promoters or ROS scavengers? · 2026 · DOI

  • Fresh-cut pear is prone to enzymatic browning and microbial proliferation. The risk of microbial contamination increases with fresh-cut processing. The shelf life of fresh-cut pear is limited due to quality deterioration.

    NaHS maintains the quality of fresh-cut pear during cold storage by alleviating browning and microbial contamination: a multi-omics study · 2026 · DOI

  • Longer commercial-scale trials are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of NaHS treatment. The study did not evaluate H₂S residues, sensory quality, safety, and commercial applicability.

    NaHS maintains the quality of fresh-cut pear during cold storage by alleviating browning and microbial contamination: a multi-omics study · 2026 · DOI

  • The cowpea is highly perishable due to its strong seasonality and regional dependence. There is a need to develop effective preservation techniques for cowpeas.

    Effect of Blanching Methods on Chlorophyll Content and Quality Changes During Frozen Storage of Cowpea · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited understanding of the effects of ethephon application on sugar content and quality.

    Optimizing the Timing of Ethephon Application to Enhance Sugar Content and Quality of Early-Harvested Cantaloupe Melons · 2026 · DOI

  • The effects of boiling and storage on grape juice properties are not well understood. There is a need to investigate the changes in bioactive compounds during storage.

    Storage stability of polyphenols and organic acids in cooked and raw grape juice · 2026 · DOI

  • Although several studies have investigated the incorporation of fruit pomaces into dairy-based yogurts, limited research has systematically examined the application of peach pomace in plant-based fermented yogurt-like systems. Most available studies focus on apple, grape, or pomegranate pomace in dairy matrices, whereas fermented products data on almond-based remain scarce.

    Evaluation of quality and biochemical characteristics of plant-based fermented yogurt-like products fortified with varying levels of peach pomace · 2026 · DOI

  • There is limited information on the efficacy of Aloe vera gel and bark extracts on post-harvest quality of mango fruits. The use of plant-based extracts as a method for improving post-harvest quality of fruits is not well studied.

    Efficacy of plant-based extracts on post-harvest quality of stored mango fruits (Mangifera indica l.) in Makurdi, Nigeria · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies can investigate the use of CO2 LPAS for monitoring other types of fruits and vegetables. The technique can be combined with other methods for a more comprehensive understanding of fruit ripening and spoilage.

    Photonic detection of ethanol dynamics in climacteric fruits using CO2 laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy · 2026 · DOI

  • Future work will focus on improving matrix tolerance, miniaturization of the sensing platform, and integration with data-driven approaches such as machine learning for automated, real-time monitoring in industrial and on-site applications. Additionally, large-scale applicability and integration into portable sensing systems remain to be explored.

    A novel MIP sensor for the sensitive and selective detection of gentisic acid in fruit matrices · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited understanding of the transcriptional regulation of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in sweet potato. Difficulty in maintaining the quality of sweet potato storage roots during storage.

    Temporal dynamics of phenolics and lignin-related metabolism in sweet potato storage roots during post-curing storage · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on low-cost, sustainable storage technologies and integrated management strategies. Innovations in smart packaging, natural preservatives, and digital monitoring systems offer promising opportunities to improve storage efficiency and reduce postharvest losses.

    Factors affecting postharvest quality during storage of agricultural produce: a comprehensive review · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper identifies the need for low-cost, sustainable storage technologies and integrated management strategies. The review highlights the lack of technical expertise and limited infrastructure in developing regions as a challenge to postharvest quality management.

    Factors affecting postharvest quality during storage of agricultural produce: a comprehensive review · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research on optimal storage temperature for fresh fruits should move beyond generalized recommendations toward cultivar-specific and physiology-driven temperature optimization. Although substantial progress has been made in understanding temperature effects on respiration, ethylene production, and quality retention, considerable variability remains among fruit cultivars and production environments.

    Optimal storage temperature for fresh fruits: physiological responses, quality retention, and shelf-life extension · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for effective and sustainable postharvest treatments for strawberries. Traditional methods of postharvest preservation have limitations, and alternative methods are needed.

    Postharvest application of prohexadione-Ca and calcium chloride improves fruit quality and reduces mould development in strawberries · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies can be conducted to optimize the CaCl2 and low-temperature treatment for different varieties of passion fruit. The effects of the combined treatment on the microbial quality and safety of passion fruit can be investigated.

    CaCl2-cold storage combination: An efficient preservation approach for prolonging the shelf life of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for an efficient preservation approach to prolong the shelf life of passion fruit. The current methods for preserving passion fruit are not effective in maintaining its nutritional properties and sensory quality.

    CaCl2-cold storage combination: An efficient preservation approach for prolonging the shelf life of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) · 2026 · DOI

  • Development of other functional foods that address micronutrient deficiencies. Assessment of the potential applications of dried persimmon and banana powders in other food products.

    Development of an iodine-containing fermented milk beverage using dried persimmon and banana powders: a technical feasibility study · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited oxygen availability during storage can shift metabolism toward anaerobic pathways, leading to ethanol production and accumulation.

    Photonic detection of ethanol dynamics in climacteric fruits using CO2 laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy · 2026 · DOI

  • Rising temperatures and increasing radiation intensity associated with global climate change are driving more frequent and severe sunburn and heat lightinduced physiological disorders in apple…

    Heat and light induced physiological disorders in apples: Sunburn, mechanisms, and management strategies · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) Future research should investigate the effect of hot water and salicylic acid treatment on other mango cultivars (“Combined application of hot water and salicylic acid treatment preserves…”, 2026); (2) Given that the specific roles of peroxidase family members vary across superfamilies and different plant species, further research is needed to identify the dominant isoforms within specific crops (“What are the primary roles of peroxidases in enzymatic browning of fresh-cut…”, 2026); (3) Longer commercial-scale trials are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of NaHS treatment (“NaHS maintains the quality of fresh-cut pear during cold storage by alleviating…”, 2026); (4) There is a need to develop effective preservation techniques for cowpeas (“Effect of Blanching Methods on Chlorophyll Content and Quality Changes During…”, 2026); (5) The effects of boiling and storage on grape juice properties are not well understood (“Storage stability of polyphenols and organic acids in cooked and raw grape juice”, 2026). 131 gap statements have been mined from Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 1,101 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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