The Role of Evaporate Cooling Storage Technology to Reduce PostHarvest Losses of Fruits and Vegetables: A Review

Fruits and vegetables are perishable crops, which have high moisture content and short shelf life. Most Postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables occur due to lack of proper cold storage. According to most of research and review show, approximates 40-50% fruits and vegetables loss in the supply chain at globally level. In many Africa countries, postharvest losses are not properly documented but experts have projected the losses to be up to 80%. In Ethiopia, postharvest loss of fruits and vegetables is 50% due to lack of appropriate postharvest handling practice and storage technologies. The loss up to 50% could be caused due to biological and environmental factors. In order to reduce postharvest loss of fruits and vegetables the roles of low cost evaporative cooling storage technology is great. Evaporate cooling is the process by which temperature of substance reduced due to cooling effect from evaporation of water. It work best at dry and hot climate area when results in reduction of temperature and increase in relative humidity. This storage technology reduces postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables by controlling temperature, concentration of gases and relative humidity of the storage area. Therefore, the aim of this review paper is to review studies made by several researchers and reviewers on the roles of evaporate storage technologies in postharvest loss reduction of fruits and vegetables. This storage technology of fruits and vegetables produce available for sale increased 42% to 62% and enhances 10-15 % food security. So to mitigate or alleviate high postharvest loss of perishable crops using evaporative storage technology is very important and determinant