Kuyu Chala G, Tola Yetenayet B, Abdi Gemechu G
Department of Post-harvest Management, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, P.O. BOX 307, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Heliyon. 2019 Aug 9;5(8):e02272. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02272. eCollection 2019 Aug.
One of the main challenges facing Ethiopia today is to ensure food security for its highly increasing population growth. Although the country's production is much lower than the national demand, there are high post-harvest food losses. Among several causes at different levels, absence of infrastructure plays a critical role in quantitative and qualitative losses of mainly fruit, vegetable, root and tuber crops. This study was initiated to investigate impact of two different production areas having different road access on qualitative and quantitative loss of potato tuber in extended storage time. Load tracking approach was used by simulating existing postharvest handling and storage practice of potato tuber in the study area. Quantitative post-harvest loss assessment along the supply chains, qualitative loss and shelf life estimation at retail market were investigated using standard methods. Results showed that more mechanical damages and seepage loss were observed in case of poor road quality and transportation. During extended storage time (30 days) at ambient environment, potato tubers transported from Dedo to Jimma resulted in high average weight loss (17.9 ± 0.9%), significant loss in firmness (7.0 ± 0.6N in average) and average vitamin C content of 9.20 ± 0.05mg/100g as compared to tubers transported from Seka to Jimma market. This implies that, lack of good road access and transportation facility contributed for more external mechanical damages and internal injuries which will critically enhance rate of degradation of tubers in later stages of storage.
埃塞俄比亚如今面临的主要挑战之一是确保其快速增长的人口的粮食安全。尽管该国的产量远低于国内需求，但收获后的粮食损失却很高。在不同层面的诸多原因中，基础设施的缺失在主要水果、蔬菜、块根和块茎作物的数量和质量损失方面起着关键作用。本研究旨在调查两个道路通达情况不同的产区对马铃薯块茎在延长储存期内的质量和数量损失的影响。通过模拟研究区域内马铃薯块茎现有的收获后处理和储存做法，采用了负荷跟踪方法。使用标准方法对供应链中的收获后定量损失评估、零售市场的质量损失和保质期估计进行了调查。结果表明，在道路质量差和运输条件不佳情况下，观察到更多的机械损伤和渗漏损失。在环境温度下延长储存时间（30天）期间，与从塞卡运往吉马市场的块茎相比，从德多运往吉马的马铃薯块茎平均重量损失较高（17.9±0.9%），硬度显著损失（平均7.0±0.6N），平均维生素C含量为9.20±0.05mg/100g。这意味着，缺乏良好的道路通达性和运输设施导致了更多的外部机械损伤和内部损伤，这将在储存后期严重加速块茎的降解速度。
