Postharvest Laboratory
..:: Laboratory facilities :
The laboratory began to be structured in 1999 and has nowadays equipped rooms for experiments and fruits and vegetables analyses. It has six refrigerated chambers equipped with humidity and temperature control, managed by a computer system. Basic instruments for physical and chemical analyses, such as: colorimeter, digital firmness analyzer, weighting machines, centrifuges, and other accessories; equipments for minimal processing of fruit and vegetables and for active and passive modified atmosphere, such as: processors, sealing machines and utensils. The laboratory has still a gas analyzer for CO2 and O2 and a gas chromatograph for CO2 and ethylene determinations.
..:: Research lines and partners:
Researches related to postharvest physiology and technology have been developed and coordinated by Professor Angelo Pedro Jacomino. The studies are focused on postharvest physiology, ripening control using plant regulators, the use of modified atmosphere, and minimal prosessing of fruits and vegetables.
Besides the research projects coordinated by the laboratory responsible professor, many projects are developed with other departments from ESALQ and other institutions, such as: Embrapa, Ital, Epamig, Unesp, Unicamp and Universidade Federal de Viçosa. These projects are financed by FAPESP, CNPq, World Bank and private companies.
..:: Multidisciplinar team work
The projects are developed by a multidisciplinary team composed by crop production, plant physiology, biochesmistry, phytopatology, food technology, and microbiology professors. Besides the professors, about 20 under graduated and postgraduated are involved in the laboratory researches.
Contactl: Prof. Dr Angelo Jacomino