2/4/2016 1. 2. 3.

2/4/2016
Steven A. Sargent
[email protected]
Professor and Extension
Postharvest Specialist
Horticultural Sciences
Department
University of Florida/IFAS
Gainesville
1. Principles for handling perishables
2. Strategies for harvest and packing
3. General packinghouse layout
4. Examples of handling system
components
1. Principles for handling perishables
2. Strategies for harvest and packing
3. General packinghouse layout
4. Examples of handling system
components
Harvest: when, container type Transport to market: time delays
Pulp temperature: time to reach final temp.
 Food safety & security



Postharvest losses: 10 to 80%
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2/4/2016
1. Principles for handling perishables
2. Strategies for harvest and packing
3. General packinghouse layout
4. Examples of handling system
components
Bruises
–Impact: Drops during harvest and handling
–Compression: Excessive weight during shipping
Cuts, Punctures, Abrasion
Skinning
External Shatter
Internal cracking from impact
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2/4/2016
Latent bruises
Injuries Cause Accelerated Ripening


Mature‐green tomatoes were dropped 12 inches

Two types of damage in potato: ▪ Internal shatter
▪ Impact fractures between cells
Respiration and ethylene production increased and remained higher throughout ripening
▪ Black spot bruise
▪ impact ruptures cells below periderm

Immobilize the product
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2/4/2016
Sale in Distant Markets: more than 3 days
Field Pack
HARVEST
Field Pack
TRANSPORT
Packinghouse
Cleaning, Sorting, Grading, Sizing, Packing
PALLETIZING
COOLING
After harvest, minimize exposure to the
sun (transport quickly from field)
SHIPPING
Wiping will transfer microbes from fruit‐to‐fruit
Worker hygiene is critical for food safety




In Florida, one for every 20 employees
Must be less than 10 min. walking distance)
Must have potable water source for hand washing
Use disposable paper towels; recapture water
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2/4/2016
Mechanical harvest of juice oranges
Continuous canopy shaker
Mechanical Harvest – fresh radish
2
1
Two tanks: 1) washing; 2) rinsing
Cabbage transported in bulk wagons
Perforated
Chain sizer
Side-tilt wagons for unloading
cabbage
belt
sizer
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2/4/2016
Sale in Distant Markets: more than 3 days
HARVEST
Field Pack
1. Principles for handling perishables
2. Strategies for harvest and packing
TRANSPORT
Packinghouse
Cleaning, Sorting, Grading, Sizing, Packing
3. General packinghouse layout
PALLETIZING
4. Examples of handling system
components
COOLING
SHIPPING
Unload
Packing
Line
Cold Room
F.A. Cooler
Wash
Unloading
Trailer
Reefer
Rinse
Bin/Pallet
Storage
Area
Storage
Sort
1. Principles for handling perishables
2. Strategies for harvest and packing
Dry
Room
Loading
Packing
Area
Reefer
Trailer
Trailer
Reefer
Reefer
Trailer
Suggestedshould
floor plan
of packinghouse.
Packinghouses
be designed
for unrestricted flow
3. General packinghouse layout
4. Examples of handling system
components
Unloading: dry transfer
Bell pepper
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2/4/2016
Water transfer
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2/4/2016
Chlorine injection system
Exit washer to sponge rolls
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2/4/2016
Manual sizing: potential for severe impacts
Chain sizer
Perforated
belt sizer
Chain sizer
1
Mechanical sizing
2
Direction of travel
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2/4/2016
1
2
Direction of travel
Determine the capacity  e.g., tons per hour
 Evaluate the sizer types available
 Costs: initial, operational and maintenance
 Does it handle the crop delicately?
 Availability of technical service

1. Packing stations: manual
2. Mechanized systems: combinations of
automated and manual
Not washed; trimmed & packed
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2/4/2016
Tray pack assembly
Sanitation is Critical: Celery slices
Crop can be unwashed or prewashed Hygiene: washing and rinsing harvest containers
Rinsed with Erwinia soft rot bacteria.
Held at 10C for 5 days
No Chlorine
Abrasion caused by harvest into
dirty field container
With Chlorine
JA Bartz
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2/4/2016
1. Principles for handling perishables
2. Strategies for harvest and packing
3. General packinghouse layout
4. Examples of handling system
components
Port of Miami
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