Sabelo Shezi

University of Mpumalanga | UMP · School of Agricultural Sciences

Citation: Shezi, S.; Ngcobo, M.E.K.; Khanyile, N.; Ncama, K. Physio-Metabolic Mechanisms Behind Postharvest Quality Deterioration in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica) and Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. Cicla): A Review. Plants 2024, 13, 3174. https:// Abstract: Leafy vegetables are among the potential foods that can combat food insecuri...

Disposing of banana peels (BPs) as bio-organic waste is an environmental challenge. Rich in potassium, BPs are often discarded despite their agricultural value. Reports on the valorization of BP are increasing, but no review has focused on BP fertilizer preparation methods. This study aims to review and analyze these methods to guide researchers an...

The primary purpose of postharvest management is to extend the shelf life of fruit while retaining their quality. The use of edible coatings to extend the shelf life of fruit is a technique that can be applied. This study evaluated the effect of edible coatings of moringa and aloe vera extracts on the total soluble solids (TSS), weight loss, firmne...

The study aimed to investigate the effect of enriching Aloe vera and Moringa oleifera plant extract edible coatings with chitosan nanoparticles on the postharvest quality of 'Cavendish' bananas. Banana fruits were dipped into the following treatments: Aloe vera 50% (AV), Moringa oleifera 10% (MO), Aloe vera 50% + chitosan nanoparticle 2% (AV+CN), a...

The short shelf-life of bananas at ambient temperature is a serious problem since the temperature accelerates ripening-related processes like tissue softening, senescence, and fungal diseases. The study aimed to investigate the effect of enriching aloe vera and moringa plant extract edible coatings with chitosan nanoparticles on the postharvest qua...

Research on the bio-physical management of microbes known as plant growth promoters (PGPs) for optimizing yields as well as non-chemical eradication of pathogens in hydroponic or aquaponic systems is very limited. This literature review was conducted for investigation of how microorganisms interact with their biotic and abiotic environments to carr...

This study evaluated the feasibility of using bio-markers to develop statistical models for predicting time to maturity of avocado fruit. The experiment used 'Mendez#1ʹ and 'Hass' as model cultivars. Fruit was sampled biweekly from two positions within the tree canopy, namely, inside and outside canopy. Nine fruits per canopy position were sampled...

Ozone is a triatomic molecule of oxygen well-known as a powerful disinfectant because of its higher oxidation potential. Ozone has recently gained more interest especially from producers of organic fresh horticultural products. This happened after it was recognized as a generally safe disinfectant of fresh fruits and vegetables. One of the major pr...

In the current study, biochemical changes of avocado fruit cv. 'Carmen' and 'Hass' were evaluated during growth, development and maturation. The aim was to determine if exposure of fruit to sunlight could vary the biochemical compounds associated with maturity, and hence be among the causes of uneven maturity, and ripening. The current study also s...

A reduction in photosynthesis results in a reduced CO2 assimilation rate and availability of carbohydrates essential for fruit growth and development. This study determined photosynthetic efficiency and photoprotection mechanisms within and outside leaf canopy positions in ‘Gem’ avocado orchards and their relationship with avocado fruit maturity. T...

Physiological changes associated with leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange are the key components towards understanding performance of fruit trees. In this study, the photosynthetic efficiency of leaves from inside and outside canopy positions of avocado trees was assessed during the fruit growing season. The aim was to determine to what...

Tomato climacteric nature limits its shelf life. In this study, the effects of three supply routes (Pontdrift, Letaba, Esmefour), and four pre-storage treatments (anolyte water, Gum Arabic (GA), anolyte water + GA, hot water treatment (HWT) + GA, control/untreated) ambient (25°C) were evaluated in tomato 'Nemo-Netta'quality. A randomized complete b...

The effect of disinfecting tomatoes with different solutions (anolyte water, chlorinated water and hot water) or coating tomatoes (with Gum Arabic), on the microbiological quality of tomatoes during storage after transportation in non-refrigerated trucks along three different supply chain routes was evaluated. Pink-matured tomatoes were treated, st...

Completed Project on Tomato funded by Postharvet Innovation (PHI) Project.