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שלח באימייל הדפס
Plant Sciences
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Postharvest and Food Sciences
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Department of Postharvest Science
Department of Food Science
Administration Postharvest & Food Science Institute
Department of Postharvest Science
Head: Noam Alkan, Ph.D.
Staff

The Department of Postharvest Storage of Fresh Produce includes 13 research laboratories working on development of postharvest technologies to retain quality and prevent losses of fruit, vegetables and ornamentals. Our main research goals are development of protocols and technologies for harvesting and marketing of fresh produce, study the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in regulation of ripening and senescence processes, develop safe technologies for decay control, and breeding of new varieties with improved postharvest storage capabilities. The research projects include evaluation and development of cooling technologies, control of humidity and gas atmosphere conditions, coatings and packaging materials, and antimicrobial compounds. The research is conducted on various fruit types, such as subtropical and deciduous fruit, vegetables, such as leafy, fruit and root vegetables, and ornamentals and cut flowers.


Staff
Researchers
Name
(Surname, First name)
Research Interests /
Job description
Alkan Noam, Ph.D. Fruit-fungal interaction. Induced defense response in fruits to biotic and abiotic stress. Application of phenylalanine to induce fruit defense and increase fruit quality. Postharvest application of double-stranded RNA to controls pathogenic fungi. Anthocyanin and phenylpropanoids role in fruit.
Droby Samir, Prof. Research Interests - Postharvest treatment of citrus fruit - Postharevst pathology of cut flowers - Development and application of alternative control methods (natural materials, physical treatment) for the control of postharvest diseases - Development of biological control technologies for the control of posharvest diseases - Study of mechanisms of action of yeasts used for the control of posharvest pathogens - Study of the biochemical and molecular basis of Penicillium digitaum pathogenicity on citrus fruit
Eltzov Evgeni, Ph.D. The research of this group is focused on development and miniaturisation of various biosensor platforms with applications in food and agricultural fields. We are integrating novel micro-/nano-structures and materials with biorecognition elements (DNA, antibodies, cells, enzymes and other (bio)receptors) for development novel diagnostic devices that address various challenges in the modern world. The key areas of research are: Biosensors and bioassay development. Point of care (POC) devices. Real-time monitoring systems for multianalyte analysis. Whole cell biosensors. Integration nanotechnology and biosensors applications.
Eshel Dani, Ph.D. - Molecular physiology of bud dormancy and apical dominance in plants - Sugar metabolism as a mechanism for abiotic stress tolerance of plants - Caspase like proteins and their role in programmed cell death and autophagy - Crops improvement through target genome editing
Lers Amnon, Ph.D. Plant senescence and programmed cell death: function and regulation of associated nucleases and ribonucleases. Study of the molecular genetic regulation of dark-induced senescence and the mode of action of CO2 in delaying artificial senescence in leafy vegetables. Investigating the biological basis for chilling injury sensitivity/resistance in leafy vegetables.
Lichter Amnon, Ph.D. Physiology and postharvest pathology of table grapes Flavor of table grapes Cold room technologies
Maoz Itay, Ph.D. 1. Study of the chemo-sensorial profile of fruits and vegetables. 2. Valorization of the nutritional value of fresh produce. 3. Develop applications to enhance health-promoting properties of fruit post-harvest.
Michaeli Simon, Ph.D. - Cell and Molecular Biology of Postharvest Fruit Ripening and Leaf Senescence - Chloroplast Degradation - Autophagy and Ubiquitin-mediated degradation - Anti-aging compounds for Increased Plant and Consumers Life-Span - Food Security
Porat Ron, Ph.D. • Postharvest storage of citrus fruit • Postharvest storage of pomegranates • Postharvest storage of guava fruit • Food loss and waste • Fruit Taste and aroma • Modified atmosphere packaging and waxing • Chilling tolerance
Rodov Victor, Ph.D. - Postharvest physiology and technology - Fresh-cut ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables: physiology, technology and safety - Food packaging, e.g. modified-atmosphere and modified-humidity packaging - Postharvest treatments to improve quality and safety of fresh produce - Plant secondary metabolites: antimicrobials, antioxidants, phytonutrients - New functional food products of plant origin
Ziv Carmit, Ph.D. Postharvest disease control of fruity vegetables: * Developing environment-friendly treatments to control postharvest fungal rot. * Understanding resistance mechanisms of phytopathogenic fungi to cold storage. * Uncovering the role of lipids in determining the interactions between fruits and pathogenic fungi during storage.
Engineers/Technicians
Name
(Surname, First name)
Research Interests /
Job description
Alkalai-Tuvia Sharon, B.A.
Chalupowicz Daniel, M.Sc. *Characterization of physiological and biochemical aspects of fruit and fresh vegetables. *Development of analytical methods for testing components of taste and aroma fresh produce. GC-MS. *Operation and maintenance of gas chromatography devices and controlled atmosphere chambers.
Feygenberg Oleg, M.Sc.
Hassouna Fouad, Mr.
Kaplunov Tatiana, M.Sc.
Kochanek Bettina, M.Sc.
Levin Elena, Ph.D.
Maurer Dalia, M.Sc.
Rafael Ginat, M.Sc.
Salim Shoshana, Ms.
Teper-Bamnolker Paula, Ph.D.
Vinokur Yakov, Ph.D.
Zadka Tamar, Ms.
Retiree
Name
(Surname, First name)
Research Interests /
Job description
Aharoni Nehemia, Ph.D. (Emeritus)
Fallik Elazar, Prof. *The use and development of non-chemical treatments for disease control. *Postharvest disease control of sweet peppers, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, eggplants, melons, watermelons and organic commodities. *Fruit resistance by physical treatments. *Sensory analysis (taste and smell) in harvested fresh produce. *Mechanism of water loss in fresh vegetables. *The use of 1-MCP to inhibit ripening processes. *Grafting affecting vegetables' quality after harvest. *Effects of colored-net shades on vegetables' quality after harvest. *Development of cold/hot quarantine treatments in fresh harvested produce.
Friedman Haya, Ph.D. • Mechanisms of senescence induction • Elucidating the role of reactive oxygen species in senescence and ripening • Involvement of development pathway in ripening of fleshy fruit • Delaying banana ripening by manipulation of MADS-box gene • Delaying leaf senescence of Pelargonium leaves • Postharvest of cuttings • Edible flowers: development and postharvest treatments
Fuchs Yoram, Ph.D. (Emeritus)
Lurie Susan, Ph.D. * Storage of deciduous fruits: apples, apricots, cherries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, persimmons * Prevention of storage disorders and rots by non-chemical means such as physical stresses * Use of controlled and modified atmosphere and 1-methylcyclopropene to extend storage * Understanding the biochemical events involved in chilling injury * Understanding the molecular events during and following heat shock * Maintaining fruit nutritional and organoleptical quality after harvest
Meir Shimon, Ph.D. Postharvest physiology of cut flowers and potted plants, Regulation of plant organ abscission, Plant hormones focusing on Ethylene and Auxin biosynthesis pathway and action and crosstalk; Biochemical and physiological aspects of leaf and flower petal senescence; Application of plant growth regulators to solve postharvest problems of senescence, abscission, water-balance, chilling-injury, wilting and gravitropic bending in cut flowers and ornamental branches;
Pesis Edna, Ph.D. • Fruit ripening processes including: cell wall degradation, ethylene metabolism, respiration, anaerobic respiration, color development, aroma and taste. • Modified atmosphere/humidity packaging and fruit coating in order to maintain subtropical fruit quality. • Finding solutions for keeping quality of organic fruits without using chemicals • Application of 1-methylcyclopropane (1-MCP) in order to increase storage duration and to improve subtropical fruit quality. • Alleviation of chilling injury and decay development in tropical and subtropical fruits including: avocado, mango, papaya, tomato, banana, guava, lychee, longan, date and fig. • Alleviation of superficial scald in apple and pear by low oxygen pretreatments • Improving fruit aroma and flavor in stored fruits by various abiotic stresses • Study aroma volatiles by GC-MS techniques for identification of fruit taste
Philosoph-Hadas Sonia, Ph.D. Postharvest physiology of ornamentals, including cut flowers, ornamental branches and flower bulbs; Gravitropism of flowering shoots – physiological, cellular and molecular aspects; Ethylene biosynthesis pathway and action; Biochemical and physiological aspects of leaf and flower petal senescence; Application of plant growth regulators to solve postharvest problems of senescence, abscission, water-balance, chilling-injury, wilting and gravitropic bending in cut flowers and ornamental branches;
Prusky Dov Bernard, Prof. Understanding the basic processes underlying the interactions between fruits and pathogenic fungi. Studying biochemical and molecular mechanisms that are controlling postharvest fungal virulence and fruit resistance factors. Development of transformation-mediated gene disruption strains affected in pathogenicity and with enhanced ability to elicit defense responses. Studying the biochemical basis for modulation of pathogenicity of postharvest pathogens by affecting the alkalinization and acidification of the environment of infected tissue. Specifically: regulation of organic acid production and secretion; nitrogen metabolism and ammonia secretion. Effect of the secreted substances on the modulation of host local pH and program cell death. Etiology and control of postharvest losses in deciduous and subtropical fruits by integration of pre-and postharvest treatments.
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