ABSTRACT
Litchi is a subtropical to tropical tree in the Sapindaceae family. Production has steadily increased over recent decades, particularly with increasing exports from both southern and northern hemisphere production areas into Europe and North America. Australia, China, Israel, South Africa, and Thailand are among the major litchi-producing countries. Litchi fruit sales make a significant contribution to economic development in these countries, especially those in South-east Asia. The bright red color of litchi fruit is due to the rich amount of anthocyanins in pericarp tissues. Micro-cracking is evident on the pericarp due to its thin cuticle layer. A gradual breakdown of the cellular ultrastructure has been determined at ambient temperature. Postharvest chilling injury of litchi fruit is one of the major obstacles in the postharvest storage and transport chain, reducing the commercial value. Tropical and subtropical fruits are often damaged when exposed to low but non-freezing temperatures.
