Fruit ripening is characterized by several marked physiological and biochemical changes resulting in the coordinated development of complex characteristics.
Following pollination and fertilization, the fruit develops in size leading to the ripening process, which results in the development of ideal organoleptic characters such as taste, color, and aroma that are important quality-determining features.
Fruits that are used as vegetables are harvested early prior to their ripening.
The physiological process of ripening occurs rapidly when the fruit is mature, and beyond a certain stage, harvested fruits undergo rapid deterioration in quality.
Ideally, fruits are harvested at an optimal physiological stage or maturity characteristic to the type of fruit, after which appropriate storage procedures can be adopted for preserving the shelf life and quality of the fruits.
Fruits do not ripen fully showing the appropriate quality characteristics if picked at a young stage before the attainment of physiological maturity.
Citrus fruits are allowed to fully ripen before they are harvested.
Avocado fruits do not ripen if left on the tree and start ripening only after harvest.
Irrespective of the nature of the produce whether it is fruits, vegetables, or flowers, various technologies such as cold storage, controlled atmosphere storage, and inhibition of hormone and enzyme action are adopted to slow down the metabolic processes to provide an optimal quality produce for marketing and consumption.
Advances in the biochemistry and molecular biology of the fruit ripening process have enabled the development of biotechnological strategies for the preservation of postharvest shelf life and quality of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.