Professional Documents
Culture Documents
I. Choose a commodity
Tomatoes are an essential part of our diets and are widely consumed globally.
Post-harvest management is an important step in ensuring the quality of tomatoes
and their safe consumption. Post-harvest operations refer to all activities that take
place after harvesting and includes sorting, grading, packaging, storage, transport,
and marketing (Harsh et al., 2018). Proper post-harvest management practices
help to maintain the quality of the produce, ensure food safety, and improve
market access and value (Debrah et al., 2016). This article will discuss the
importance of post-harvest operations for tomatoes, discuss current practices, and
suggest best practices.
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are one of the most important crops in the
Philippines. According to a study published in the Philippine Journal of Crop
Science, tomato production in the Philippines has been increasing steadily since
the 1980s and is now among the top 10 vegetable crops in the country,
contributing greatly to the livelihood of Filipino farmers (Aquino, et al., 2018).
Tomatoes are grown in various parts of the Philippines, including the rainfed
lowlands, irrigated plains, and upland areas, making them a versatile crop suitable
for various agro-ecologies. Tomatoes are also highly nutritious, containing a wide
array of vitamins and minerals, making them an essential part of a balanced diet
(Ekpu, et al., 2018).
Filling
8. To prevent contamination, the ketchup passes from the receiving tanks to the
filling machines at a temperature not lower than 190°F (88°C). The containers
are filled with the ketchup and immediately sealed to retain the freshness of
the product. Ketchup containers come in various sizes and shapes, including
14-oz. bottles, No. 10 cans, pouch packs, room-service sizes, and single-serve
packets.
Cooling
9. The containers must be cooled to prevent flavor loss through stack burning,
which occurs when ketchup stays at high temperatures after cooking is
complete. Containers of ketchup may be cooled in cold air or cold water.
Labelling and packing
10. Finally, the ketchup containers are labeled and coded with product
information, including ingredients, date and location of manufacture, and
shelf-life. The bottled ketchup may be inspected again before shipping. The
entire process of ketchup manufacturing generally takes two to three hours.
III. By products
1. Tomato Juice:
Tomato juice processing is a complex process that begins with
harvesting the ripe and juicy tomatoes and ends with packaging and labeling
the finished product. This process has been industrialized over the years to
ensure a safe, high-quality product for consumers.
The harvesting process begins with the selection of the tomatoes. The
tomatoes are chosen based on their size, color, and firmness. Once the
tomatoes have been selected, they are washed and sorted. The tomatoes are
then chopped and crushed to extract the juice. The juice is then strained to
remove any solids.
The juice is then packaged into cans, bottles, or cartons. The containers
are sealed to keep the juice fresh. The cans, bottles, or cartons are then labeled
with the product name, ingredients, and nutrition facts. The containers are also
labeled with expiration dates and other relevant information.
Finally, the juice is placed on the shelves of grocery stores and ready
for consumers to purchase. The entire process of harvesting, processing,
packaging, and labeling ensures that consumers get a safe, high-quality
product.
2. Tomato Paste:
Tomato paste is a processed food item made from tomatoes that have
been cooked and concentrated down to a thick, paste-like consistency. The
process of industrializing the production of tomato paste is a complex one that
begins with harvesting the tomatoes and ends with packaging and labeling the
finished product.
Once the tomatoes are concentrated, they are further processed to make
the tomato paste. The concentrated tomato mass is cooked at high
temperatures to break down the cell walls and soften the tomatoes. The cooked
mass is then strained to remove the seeds and skins and is then passed through
a series of filters and screens to homogenize the product. The filtered tomato
paste is then poured into a large heated holding tank where it is further cooked
and homogenized. The resulting paste is then cooled and packaged into cans
or jars.
Finally, the tomato paste is labeled and packaged for sale. The product
is typically labeled with information such as the nutritional value, ingredients,
and the manufacturing and expiration dates. The packaging is also labeled
according to the size and type of product, such as whole, diced, or pureed.
Once the tomato sauce has been cooked, it is then cooled and poured
into containers or jars for packaging. The jars or containers are labeled with
the ingredients, nutritional information, and any other information necessary.
The containers are then sealed and sealed with a label.
Harvesting of sun dried tomatoes begins with the selection of the best
quality tomatoes from the field. The tomatoes are then washed and inspected
for any imperfections or rot. After the tomatoes are inspected, they are cut into
slices and placed on drying trays. These trays are then placed in direct sunlight
and left for several days or weeks depending on the desired level of drying
(Konstantinou et al., 2021). During this time, the tomatoes are regularly
inspected and turned to ensure that they are evenly dried.
Once the tomatoes have been sufficiently dried, they are removed from
the trays and placed on sorting trays. At this stage, any remaining
imperfections or rot is removed and the tomatoes are sorted based on their size
and shape. The sorted tomatoes are then placed into a blanching machine
which helps to preserve the nutrition and flavor of the tomatoes (Tzortzakis et
al., 2017). After the tomatoes are blanched, they are placed into a cooling
chamber and then into a dehydration chamber. This process helps to further
reduce the moisture content of the tomatoes and helps to preserve the tomatoes
for a longer period of time.
Finally, sun dried tomatoes are subject to quality control tests. The
tomatoes are tested for any potential contaminants and for their nutritional
content to ensure that they meet the standards for food safety and quality.
Once all of the tests have been completed, the tomatoes are approved and
ready to be sold (Konstantinou et al., 2021).
Harvesting is the first step of the process and is the most crucial step in
producing high-quality tomato powder. Tomatoes are typically hand-picked
when they are ripe and then placed in crates. The tomatoes are then taken to
the processing facility where they are washed, sorted, and inspected for any
defects or damage. After this, the tomatoes are cut into uniform sized pieces
and then blanched. Blanching is a process that involves briefly immersing the
tomato pieces in boiling water to kill any bacteria and to make them more
pliable for further processing.
The next step is the drying process. The tomato pieces are placed in a
continuous dryer that uses hot air to evaporate the moisture from the tomatoes.
Once the tomato pieces have been dried, they are then milled or ground into a
fine powder. At this stage, the powder may be sieved to remove any large
pieces and to ensure a uniform texture.
The last step is packaging and labeling. The tomato powder is typically
packaged in air-tight containers to preserve its freshness and shelf life. The
containers are then labeled with information such as the name, ingredients,
and nutritional facts. The product is then ready to be shipped and sold in
stores.
2. Use of edible coatings: Edible coating technology can be used to extend the shelf
life of tomatoes by reducing water loss and controlling the respiration rate of tomatoes
(Ioannou et al., 2013).
3. Temperature control: Temperature control is an important factor to consider when
trying to extend the shelf life of tomatoes. Tomatoes should be stored at temperatures
between 5°C and 10°C in order to preserve their quality and extend their shelf life
(Kumar et al., 2008).
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