Abstract:
Fruits have huge postharvest losses at different stages of the traditional supply chain
due to their perishable nature. The retailer is directly linked to the consumer and
plays an important role in the fruit supply chain. This study was conducted to identify
variations in qualitative and quantitative losses of selected fruits at different retail sites
located in Anuradhapura. Two fruit spp. including bananas (Musa sp.) var. seeni and
mangoes (Mangifera indica) var. Tom EJC were purchased from roadside retailers (T1)
and air-conditioned outlets (T2) located from Thalawa to Thambuththegama. Readings
of total soluble solids (TSS), physiological weight loss percentage (PWL%), firmness, pH,
and color differences were taken daily while purchasing 4 kg from each fruit sample
initially and keeping them in the same locations. A comparison between the two
treatments was carried out according to an independent sample t-test and the data
were analyzed using SPSS. Each treatment contained six replicates, and each replicate
consisted of three fruit samples. The mean temperature and RH of T1 and T2 during
the study period were 32±2 oC, 62±5% and 25±1 oC, 65±2%, respectively. The results
showed that PWL% increased with time in both fruits, and the weight-decreasing rate
was significantly higher in T1 than in T2 throughout the storage period. The firmness
of both fruits decreased as the storage period progressed, irrespective of the type of
retailer site. There was a significant difference in the TSS content of bananas over the
past three days, while the TSS content of mangoes in both treatments increased during
storage. In conclusion, the postharvest loss of bananas and mangoes in T1 and T2 were
21.7%, 9.4%, 15.7% and 9.8%, respectively. Comparatively, T2 fruit samples had good
quality characteristics and could be kept longer periods (banana: 4 days and mango: 7
days). Air-conditioned retailer outlets are comparatively more efficient than roadside
retail shops in terms of low postharvest losses.
