Ph.D. (1985), Plant Physiology
University of California, Davis

Postharvest handling of subtropical fruits.

As an extension specialist for subtropical fruit, I have both an educational and research program dealing with citrus and avocado postharvest handling. There are two areas related to subtropical fruit postharvest handling in which I conduct research.

The first deals with the role of preharvest management on postharvest fruit quality. A clearer understanding of orchard management’s role is needed to develop strategies that optimize the postharvest life of subtropical fruits. I therefore collaborate in multi-disciplinary projects that examine the role of irrigation, fertilization, plant growth regulators and pest management on postharvest fruit quality.

I also conduct research that examines the response of subtropical fruit to the postharvest environment including temperature during handling and ethylene exposure.  As part of this research effort we have incorporated the use of sensory science procedures to study the impact of handling practices on eating quality. 
 

• Arpaia, M.L. 1994. Preharvest factors influencing postharvest quality of tropical and subtropical fruits. HortScience. 29(9):982-985.
• Arpaia, M.L. and J.G. Morse. 1991. Citrus thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) scarring and navel orange fruit quality in California. J. Appl. Ent. 111:28-32.
• Obenland, D. M., M. L. Arpaia, R. K. Austin, and B. E. MacKey.  1999.  High-temperature forced-air treatment alters the quantity of flavor-related, volatile constituents present in navel and valencia oranges.  J. Agric. Food Chem.  47(12): 5184 – 5188.
• Obenland, D., S. Collin, B. Mackey, J. Sievert, K. Fjeld, M. L. Arpaia.  2009. Determinants of flavor acceptability during the maturation of navel oranges. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 52:156–163.
• Obenland, D., S. Collin, J. Sievert, K. Fjeld, J. Doctor and M. L. Arpaia. 2008.  Commercial packing and storage of navel oranges alters aroma volatiles and reduces flavor quality. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 47:159–167.
• Thompson, J. F., D. C. Slaughter and M. L. Arpaia.  2008.  Suspended tray package for protecting soft fruit from mechanical damage.  Applied Engineering in Agriculture.  24(1):71-75.
• Walker, G. P., J. G. Morse, and M. L. Arpaia.  1996.  Evaluation of a high-pressure washer for postharvest removal of California red scale from citrus fruit.  J. Econ. Entomol. 89: 148-155.
• Walker, G. P., N. Zareh, and M. L. Arpaia.  1999.  Effect of pressure and dwell time on efficiency of a high-pressure washer for postharvest removal of California red scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) from citrus fruit.  J. Econ. Entomol.  92(4): 906 – 914.
• Woolf A. B., C. L. Requejo, K. A. Cox, R. C. Jackman, A. Gunson, M. L. Arpaia, and A. White. 2005.  1-MCP Reduces Physiological Storage Disorders of ‘Hass’ Avocados. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 35:43–60.