Poster Abstract Back to Programme Fresh fruits and vegetables play a very essential role in human nutrition and health, especially as sources of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Other constituents that may lower risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases include carotenoids, flavonoids and other polyphenols, phenolic acids, and other phytonutrients.
Nutritional value varies greatly among commodities and cultivars of each commodity.
This can have a major positive impact on human health and should be given high priority in research and extension programs worldwide. Climatic conditions, especially temperature and light intensity, have a strong effect on the nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables. Maturity at harvest and harvesting method influence the commodity s quality and extent of physical injuries. Delays between harvest and consumption or processing can result in losses of flavor and nutritional quality. Furthermore, processing and cooking methods can greatly affect the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables.