Recent advances in the postharvest technology of feijoa

Feijoa is an important minor fruit grown in New Zealand, Georgia, Colombia, United States, Italy, Portugal and Brazil. Commercial production and export is reported majorly in New Zealand and its major markets include USA, Asia, Australia and Europe, however main challenge is its short storage life that limits its economic value, thereby needing innovative efforts to extend storage life. Postharvest technologists have applied techniques such as low temperature, controlled atmosphere, ethylene, 1- Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), CaCl2 dips, hot water dipping, step down temperature conditioning and intermittent warming with minimal success. Non-destructive methods such as near infrared have been discussed as alternative approaches to assist in segregating fruit at harvest into more homogenous batches with differing storage potential. This review highlights technologies that merit further testing for extending storage life, and promising technologies for at-harvest fruit segregation. The techniques need to fit readily into industrial practice after harvest. Technologies that support early harvesting of fruit, non-destructive analysis to segregate fruit into maturity classes at grading speed and optimal storage for differing markets, hold significant potential to expand the export industry of feijoa.