Modern methods of strawberry fruit (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) post-harvest treatment (review)

The shelf life of garden strawberry fruits when stored under recommended conditions is about a week. Due to microbiological spoilage and seasonal availability of fruits, the issues of their long-term storage are relevant. Various methods of post-harvest treatment have been used to prevent microbial contamination and extend the shelf life of garden strawberries. The purpose of this study is to review modern post-harvest methods of garden strawberry fruits treatment to reduce microbiological spoilage and extend the shelf life of berries. A review of scientific publications and electronic resources for the period from 2012 to 2024 was conducted. The search for relevant literature was carried out by keywords through scientific databases such as Scopus, Web of Science and RSCI, as well as using the Google Scholar system. The study included papers published in English and Russian. Traditionally, thermal, plasma, radiation, chemical and biological treatments are used to preserve fruits after harvesting and extend their shelf life. In recent decades, modern environmentally friendly technologies have been developed, including modified and controlled atmosphere packaging, packaging based on active biopolymers or edible coatings. These methods can significantly increase the shelf life of fruits, as well as ensure the preservation of the quality and safety of raw plant materials. The first part of this review examines the metabolic and biochemical processes that underlie the ripening process of garden strawberries and provides an analysis of the factors causing spoilage of garden strawberries. This review may be of interest to the scientific community, as well as to specialists in the agro-industrial complex involved in the harvest and sale of fruits and berries.