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

Postharvest physiology, handling and storage of intact and fresh-cut vegetables.

Membership in graduate groups: Food Science, International Agricultural Development, and Horticulture & Agronomy

The objectives of my research and extension program are to identify and solve problems related to the postharvest physiology, handling and storage of fresh vegetables. As a Cooperative Extension Specialist, I conduct a research and education program for the benefit of UC Advisors, vegetable grower-shippers-freshcut processors, and handlers and distributors of these fresh products.

Current efforts in applied research include:

• Marketable and nutritional quality and postharvest behavior of vegetables as affected by variety, cultural practices and postharvest handling operations.
• Postharvest physiology and handling of specialty vegetables, including fresh culinary herbs, Asian and Mexican specialty vegetables.
• Alternatives to postharvest fungicides and fumigants on selected vegetables.  Emphasis is on short-term heat treatments and controlled atmospheres to control decay organisms and insects.
• Physiology, shelf-life and quality of fresh-cut vegetables, including lettuces, melon, peppers, onions and garlic.

• Selma, M.V., A.M. Ibáñez, A. Allende, M. Cantwell and T. Suslow. 2008. Reduction by gaseous ozone of Salmonella and microbial flora associated with fresh-cut cantaloupe. Food Microbiology 25:558-565.
• Cantwell, M. (editor compiler). 2008 (13th ed.). Fresh-cut Products: Maintaining Quality and Safety. Univ. California Postharvest Horticulture Series No. 10.
• Cantwell, M.I., J. Kang and G. Hong. 2003. Heat treatments control sprouting and rooting of garlic cloves. Postharvest Biol. Tech., 30: 57-65.
• Hanson, B.R., D. May, R. Voss, M. Cantwell, R. Rice. 2003. Response of garlic to irrigation water. Agricultural Water Management 58: 29-43.
• Cantwell, M. and T. Suslow. 2002. Postharvest handling systems: Minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Chpt. 32. In: Kader, A.K. (ed.). Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops, 3rd ed., Univ. California Special Publ. 3311, pp. 445-463.
• Cantwell, M.I., G. Peiser and E. Mercado-Silva. 2002. Induction of chilling injury in jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus) roots: changes in texture, color and phenolics. Postharvest Biol. Tech. 25: 311-320.