摘要：

This study assessed quantitative and qualitative postharvest loss of tomato through the supply chain in Northwest Ethiopia using FAO load tracking method. The treatments comprised of four critical steps through the supply chain and three harvesting locations. Two-way ANOVA was used to estimate the combined contributions of harvesting location and supply chain and significant difference was tested at p < 0.05. In addition, the effect of refrigerated storage on the quality and shelf life of tomato was studied. The mean postharvest loss of tomatoes within five days of tracking along the unrefrigerated supply chain was 25.91 ± 1.04%. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in postharvest loss, weight loss, firmness, colour L* and a*/b* value of tomatoes through the supply chain among the three districts. Low temperature storage improved the quality and extended the shelf life of tomatoes by delaying their ripening time in terms of colour, firmness and weight loss.

展开