Highlight: the the Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences of Israel

The main objective of the Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences is research and development for preservation of shelf-life while keeping the quality, safety and nutritional value of various types of fresh or dry agricultural produce intended for export as well as for local markets. These include foods intended for human consumption, animal feed derived from plants and animals and ornamental use.

The institute aims at advancing and supporting Israeli agriculture and contributing to the wellbeing of the farmers and the general public in the country. The existence of diverse research disciplines and research groups under the same roof enables fruitful interdisciplinary cooperative research between the various research teams aimed at achieving common objectives.

The Institute's research and development outcomes are recognized as a significant factor in the development of agriculture in Israel, the ability of fresh produce marketing, and especially the ability to export to foreign markets. Knowledge, methods and various technologies resulting from the activities in the institute relevant to agricultural produce treatment and preservation are transferred to - farmers, export companies, packing houses, dry grain storage facilities and the food industry.

Over the years, environmental friendly protocols and technologies have been developed in the Institute for the treatment, storage and packaging of fresh produce and dry grains using environmentally friendly substances, and biological control for the preservation of produce, whilst preventing microbial risks and minimizing food waste.

The recent issue of the "Volcani Voice" is dedicated to the subject of "FACING CHALLENGES IN POSTHARVEST and FOOD LOSSES" and include review articles written by the researchers of the Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences who participated in the International conference  April 28-30 in the frame of the Agritech
2015 exhibition.

See also the recently published instructions for "HOW TO STORE FRUITS & VEGETABLES AT HOME" prepared by researchers of the Dept. of Postharvest Sciences.

Published on 27 Nov 2014
Located at the Volcani Center campus in Bet-Dagan, near Tel-Aviv, ARO's six institutes are responsible for Plant Sciences, Animal Science, Plant Protection, Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, and Postharvest and Food Sciences. ARO also operates four research stations, in various parts of the country, and serves as a testing center for agricultural produce and equipment. Israel's Gene Bank for Agricultural Crops is also located on the ARO Volcani Center campus.