Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

  • +9723-968-3621
  • dani@agri.gov.il
Head Dani Eshel Ph.D.
AdministrationHachampur Sima

Ensuring nutritional security and a consistent food supply hinges on efficiently storing agricultural produce to extend shelf life and maintain quality. This challenge is heightened by the need to increase food production due to the growing global population and climate-related impacts on food production. Alarmingly, a third of the world’s food and about half of fresh fruits and vegetables are lost annually due to improper handling, poor storage, and quality degradation. Scientists at the Agricultural and Food Research Institute aim to enhance the quality and safety of agricultural produce and food for both human and animal consumption.

The Institute, with about 20 research groups across the agricultural produce research and food science departments, is unique in its comprehensive approach, covering the entire food chain from production to consumer. Their research directly impacts food security in Israel and globally, focusing on innovative technologies to improve storage varieties, methods to enhance storage capacity of fruits, vegetables, and grains, and maintaining chemical and microbial food safety. Additionally, they work on improving the taste and nutritional value of produce. Technological advancements at the Institute include natural coatings, smart packaging, alternatives to chemical pesticides, and sensors for monitoring produce quality.

Departments

Administration

Led by Ms Hachampur Sima

Food Sciences

Led by Edward Sionov Ph.D.
The Department of Food Sciences consists of 10 research groups that include microbiologists, chemists, ecologists and...

Postharvest Science

Led by Alkan Noam Ph.D.
The Postharvest Science Department was established in 1945 and today includes ten research groups. It is...

Researchers

Anat Elmann

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

I am the head of the laboratory for Bioactive Phytochemicals at the Volcani Center. I completed my PhD

Amnon Lers

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Carmit Ziv

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Gottlieb Daphna

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Dani Eshel

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Plant molecular physiologist

Danielle Duanis-Assaf

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Kenigsbuch David

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

de Leeuw Marina

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Edward Sionov

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Elazar Fallik

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Poverenov Elena

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Eltzov Evgeni

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Gal Wittenberg

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Mechrez Guy

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Guy Mechrez earned his Ph.D. in polymer science under Prof. Moshe Narkis at the Department of Chemical Engineering

Chaya Friedman

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Maoz Itay

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Itay is a PI in the Department of Postharvest Scienceד at the Volcani Center, ARO, Israel. His research

Shimshoni Jakob

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

I am a research scientist in the Department of Food Quality and Safety at the Agricultural Research Organization,

Shemesh Moshe

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Moshe received his Ph.D. from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His postdoctoral research, Dr. Shemesh pursued at Harvard

Alkan Noam

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Shapiro Or Haim

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Ron Porat

Associate Professor

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Dr. Ron Porat is an expert on postharvest storage and quality of fruit and vegetables. He previously served

Droby Samir

Full Professor

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Shlomo Sela (Saldinger)

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Michaeli Simon

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Simon obtained his Ph.D. at Tel-Aviv University, where he studied the cross-membrane transport of GABA in Arabidopsis. Simon

Victor Rodov

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Amnon Lichter

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

I did all my BSc in Tel Aviv University. MSc with the late Prof Gad Loebenstein in plant

Sonia Philosoph Hadas

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Research Assistants

Alexander Laskevy

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Ariel Menahem

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Aviv Rapaport

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Omer Barda

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Dalia Maurer

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Elena Levin

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Oleg Feygenberg

תואר שני

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Paula Teper-Bamnolker

Ph.D.

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Ginat Raphael

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Ran Shulhani

תואר שני

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Reut Amer Faldebaum

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Sharon Tuvia

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Shoshi Salim

Ms

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Varda Zakin

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Yulia Kroupitski

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences

Jacob Vinocor

Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences