Post harvest handling and characteristics of fresh-cut traditional vegetables sold in Nairobi-Kenya
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Date
2007Author
Onyango, Cecelia M
Imungi, Jasper K
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
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Twenty one major supermarkets and ten independent green grocers in the city of Nairobi were surveyed for
the types of fresh-cut traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs) sold. Cleome gynandra, Solanum nigrum, Vigna unguiculata,
Amarathus spp. and Cucurbita spp were found to be the most common TLVs selling. Amaranthus spp. and Solanum
nigrum were selling in all the sales outlets surveyed, while the rest were selling in only a few of the sales outlets. For
vending, the vegetables were not afforded any formal packaging; instead the vegetables within each type were tied in
bundles of similar average size and displayed in troughs or shelves. The average weight of the bundles ranged between
250g for Cucurbita spp. to 650g for Vigna unguiculata. The mean price per bundle was KSh 14.00. The edible portion
per bundle averaged between 34.2% for Vigna unguiculata and 84% for Cucurbita spp. Most of the sales outlets sold
proportions ranging between 94% and 97% of the total delivery of the vegetables. The major cause of deterioration of
the vegetables during vending was wilting. However, it was indicated that significant losses also occurred through
spoilage. The study concludes that TLVs are becoming important as commercial crops and as items of diets for
Kenyansofall levels. Studies onsimple postharvest handlingto minimize the lossesare however, required.
Citation
Onyango, C.M & Imungi, J. K(2007).Post harvest handling and characteristics of fresh-cut traditional vegetables sold in Nairobi-Kenya. African crop science Proceedings, 8:1791-1794Publisher
Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Technology, University of Nairobi Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi
Description
Journal article