ศูนย์นวัตกรรมเทคโนโลยีหลังการเก็บเกี่ยว

Why do we treat flowers in the way we do?

Van Meeteren, U.

5th International Postharvest Symposium . Volume of Abstract . Verona, Italy 6-11 June 2004, p.132

2004

บทคัดย่อ

 Cut flowers are now transported over very far distances, for example from developing countries towards more industrialised nations. The long distance transport poses problems for quality maintenance. Therefore, more and more, the concept of a ‘chain approach’ is introduced in post harvest quality management and becomes mere and more implemented in distribution chains of cut flowers. However, this approach is mostly applied to logistic aspects and information flow. A scan of the complete chain, to find the real critical steps for cut flower quality, is rare. In some cases, a quality simulation model is part of the system, which products the decline of quality during the post harvest phase. However, when all handling and conditions are the same during the post harvest phase, quality still varies. Information how the pre-harvest history influences quality aspects is scarce; knowledge about interactions between pre-harvest history and post harvest factors is totally missing. In production systems of human food, it is a good practice (obliged in many countries or demanded by the client) to use a system of H(azard) A(nalysis) and C(ritical) C(ontrol) P(oint), a systematic chain analysis originally developed by NASA, to ensure food safety. To ensure a known quality level for cut flowers, and to prevent expensive investments without a positive return, we should know the critical control points for quality in the complete production models will be the ideal tools to identify the critical points. In this way, we can start to develop a HACCP system for cut flower quality.