Preharvest and postharvest techniques that optimize the shelf life of fresh basil (Ocimum basilicum L.): a review

Abstract

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a popular specialty crop known for its use as a culinary herb and medicinal plant around the world. However, its profitability and availability are limited by a short postharvest shelf life due to poor handling, cold sensitivity and microbial contamination. Here, we comprehensively review the research on pre- and postharvest techniques that extend the shelf life of basil to serve as a practical tool for growers, distributors, retailers and scientists. Modifications to postharvest storage conditions, pre- and postharvest treatments, harvest time and preharvest production methods have been found to directly impact the quality of basil and its shelf life. The most effective strategies for extending the shelf life and improving the quality of basil are discussed and promising strategies that research and industry employ are identified.

Influence of Nutrient Solutions in an NGS® Soilless System on the Yield, Quality and Shelf Life of Fresh-Cut Commercial Mint at Different Harvest Times

“…WL is a physiological event in fresh-cut products and in fresh aromatic and medicinal herbs. It can be decelerated by controlling temperature and humidity and using suitable and efficient packaging [50,51]. Plastic film performance was significantly maintained in all species.…”

Genetic linkage mapping and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) to identify genomic regions associated with cold tolerance and major volatiles

“…Chilling sensitivity in basil is a major problem for distributers as it is typically shipped at low temperatures with other herbs to minimize disease and decay and costly separate shipping arrangements [41]. Other herbs tend to tolerate these low temperatures, but basil does not, which leads to large post-harvest losses [44].…”

“…The basil varieties that claim to be cold tolerant have camphor, licorice or pine aromas, with morphological characteristics referred to as "ornamental", such as purple flowers and smaller, matte, purple-green and flat leaves. There are management strategies that help reduce chilling injury in basil [44], including harvesting in the afternoon [40,41], acclimating plants with less severe low temperatures [39,40], supplementing with artificial lighting [45,46] and packaging samples in low density polyethylene bags [39,47]. However, these approaches have limited success and growers, processors and distributors still suffer sizable economic losses with these added expenses.…”