Research advances in application of natural plant extracts to postharvest preservation of fruits and vegetables

Postharvest handling of agricultural products is the important issue for the sustainable development of agriculture. The application of natural plant extracts in the storage of fresh fruits and vegetables can control postharvest decay, reduce the adverse effect of chemical fungicides to people, and can prevent the resistance of fungi to fungicide. Recently, the exploitation of natural products to control decay and prolong storage and shelf life of fruits and vegetables has received more attention. Effects of natural plant extracts on the postharvest fungi and disease and application of the natural products in the storage of fruits and vegetables were reviewed in the paper. The main natural plants applied were spice and Chinese traditional medicine, and the active ingredient is essential oils, which act on membrane and energy metabolism path. The main application methods of the natural plant extract includes dipping, fumigating, spraying, and integrated with coating or papers. Research of natural products applied in postharvest technology of fruits and vegetables should be focused on the identification of active ingredient and its effect, and the systemical industrialized technology is also valuable.