February 26, 2026 | International Journal of Agronomy | Valbuena-Gaona
This study conducted by Universidad Nacional de Colombia investigated the postharvest quality, phytosanitary conditions, economic losses, and consumer perceptions of five seasonal tropical fruits in Colombia. Although tropical fruits offer considerable nutritional and commercial potential, information on their postharvest characteristics and market limitations remains insufficient.
The researchers evaluated mamoncillo (Melicoccus bijugatus), yellow sapote (Quararibea cordata), red dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus), chontaduro (Bactris gasipaes), and cherimoya (Annona cherimola). Fruit samples were collected from commercial distribution centers during the 2024–2025 harvest seasons. Physicochemical characteristics, physiological disorders, postharvest diseases, and economic losses were assessed, while consumer preferences were analyzed using natural language processing techniques.
The results revealed considerable variation in fruit quality among species and between harvest seasons. Common physiological disorders included epidermal browning, dehydration, senescence, and sunburn, while anthracnose and stem-end rot were the predominant diseases. These problems reduced market value by 40–70%, with fruit losses ranging from 25% to 80%. Cherimoya and red dragon fruit showed particularly high waste rates. Consumer assessments also highlighted color, aroma, flavor, and texture as important quality attributes.
The findings emphasize the need for improved preharvest and postharvest management, disease control, and quality assurance to reduce losses and support tropical fruit commercialization.
