Postharvest Preservation Technology of Cereals and Legumes

Abstract

Cereals and legumes are prone to perishability and have very short shelf-life if not given proper treatment. During different handling and marketing operations, there is a huge postharvest loss of agricultural produce. The qualitative and quantitative losses incurred in cereals and legumes commodities between harvest and consumption are huge. Qualitative losses such as loss inedibility, nutritional quality, calorific value, and consumer acceptability of fresh produce are much more difficult to assess than are quantitative losses. The major cause of postharvest loss (PHL) is the availability of poor infrastructure for postharvest technology (PHT) and processing of commodities. These losses can only be minimized by proper handling, marketing, and processing of the agricultural commodities; as well as the use of modern preservation technologies such as irradiation, radio frequency heating, etc. The sufficient knowledge of pre-and post-harvest preservation technologies and the provision of adequate and sufficient storage facilities for cereals and legumes handling and distribution would help to mitigate the incidence of postharvest deterioration and therefore improve the availability of cereals and legumes in the market and subsequent reduction in malnutrition for increased food security. Postharvest preservation technology of cereals and legumes is very fundamental in reducing postharvest losses and increasing food security.

Comparison of hermetic bags with polyethylene‐lined polypropylene bags for prolonged storage of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) seeds in Ethiopia

“…TSW was adjusted according to Hellevang's (1995) adjusted quantity formula using actual moisture at the time of test and standard moisture content. For safe storage of pulses, the optimum moisture content needs to be in the range of 9%–12% (Ikegwu et al, 2022). The standard seed moisture content (i.e., base moisture) of faba bean is 12% based on Ethiopian Standards, faba bean seed specification (ES, 2012).…”

“…Depending on the prevailing intrinsic and external factors, post‐harvest losses of grain legumes are estimated to be about 9% for the United States and 40–50% for many developing countries (Ikegwu et al, 2022). The extent of postharvest loss in Ethiopia can be expressed as economic losses amounting to 10% of the country's annual budget, which could have greatly contributed to the gross domestic product (GDP) every year (Teferra, 2022).…”

“…Increased moisture and temperature are major causes of mold development, leading to a decline in legume grains germination and vigor (Ikegwu et al, 2022). Vigor may have a positive influence on emergence in the field.…”

“…During storage, grain legume pests are capable of destroying up to 33–50% of global produce. The quality degradation that resulted in loss of the quantity of legume during storage globally can reach 60% (Ikegwu et al, 2022). Loss of seed quality can be caused by several pests including mold and insects.…”

“…In village areas of both developing and developed nations, grains including pulses are still kept in traditional storage facilities, which are fabricated with natural materials or woven threads for grains storage. Typical examples are underground pits, thatched roof, plastic container, and basket silos (Ikegwu et al, 2022). Farmers in Ethiopia are using traditional storage structures such as gotera and polypropylene bag for the storage of faba beans (Endshaw & Hiruy, 2021).…”