A comprehensive review on recent advances in postharvest treatment, storage, and quality evaluation of onion (Allium cepa): Current status, and challenges

Onion is an important economical and nutritional vegetable crop having a global demand. However, the long-term storage and availability of quality produce during off seasons remain a constraint. The intricate process of quality degradation in onions, both pre and postharvest, is influenced by internal factors and storage conditions. To preserve the postharvest quality and prolong the shelf life of onions, effective postharvest technologies incorporating quality assessment and preservation treatments are crucial. This paper delves into the key factors associated with crop quality, postharvest treatments, and storage, providing a comprehensive understanding of their cause-effect relationships. The primary objective of this review is to shed light on diverse postharvest treatments, storage conditions, and structures, along with their effects on the physical, chemical, and biochemical aspects of onions. Additionally, the study explores destructive and non-destructive assessment technologies to evaluate the quality of onions. Storage and marketability is intricately tied to the advancement of appropriate technology aimed at minimizing losses during various stages of harvesting and storage conditions. This review serves as a preliminary document that can assist in exploring critical factors and advancing technologies to enhance the shelf life and quality of onions, bridging the gap between traditional methods and promising advancements.