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In the various stages of shipment, transshipment, and storage that separate the producers of fruits and vegetables from wholesalers, distributors, and retailers, accumulated losses due to spoilage can, depending on the commodity in question, destroy 25 to 80% of fresh produce before it reaches the consumer (Baldwin, 2001). In recent decades, the technologies available to the fresh produce industries to reduce spoilage have become increasingly sophisticated. Improved understanding of produce storage physiology and response to modified atmospheres, microprocessor controlled atmospheric and temperature sensors and control systems, and novel approaches to controlling spoilage organisms have improved the overall efficiency of the fresh produce handling infrastructure, but new challenges are emerging. These advances are being applied to a globalized produce distribution network that is offering an increasingly diverse selection of fruits and vegetables, in addition to an expanding range of complex products such as ready-to-eat salads and mixed vegetables (Garrett, 2002). The diversity of the fresh fruits and vegetables available, coupled with the logistical complexity of a globalized network of produce growers, distributors and retailers, make the issue of spoilage a significant economic factor. This chapter will provide an overview of the key issues surrounding microbial spoilage of fresh produce, including the mechanisms by which produce may become infected, the types of microorganisms that cause spoilage of produce, and a presentation of case studies of microbial spoilage of archetypal fresh fruits and vegetables.

Spoilage is a general term that describes a loss of marketable quality of fresh produce (Brackett, 1997). This spoilage may be the loss of appealing qualities, such as aroma (intensity, complexity, etc.), texture (firmness, crunch, mouth feel, etc.), taste (the balance of sweetness and acidity), or appearance (color, evenness, etc.). Spoilage of this type can generally be ascribed to abiotic (or, more precisely, apathogenic) factors, such as the physiological age of the produce, the temperature at which the produce is stored, or the atmosphere mix used in storage. These circumstances alter the physiology of the produce such that marketable quality is lost through chill injury, water loss or some other mechanism. Fruits and vegetables that continue to ripen after having been picked (climacteric fruits) are especially susceptible to this kind of spoilage and have a relatively short shelf life before they become overripe and lose marketable value (e.g., banana, avocado, tomato). Control of atmosphere or use of special edible coatings may help to extend the shelf life of these types of fruits and vegetables (Baldwin, 2001).