Jeffrey K. Brecht

0000-0003-0102-7128

Thinning Florida Peaches for Larger Fruit

Yuru Chang, Ali Sarkhosh, Jeffrey Brecht, and Peter Andersen

Pepper Spot ("Gomasho") on Napa Cabbage

Eric Simonne, Jeff Brecht, Guodong Liu, and Monica Ozores-Hampton

Protecting Perishable Foods During Transport by Truck or Rail

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Steven A. Sargent, Patrick E. Brecht, Jorge Saenz, and Leonard Rodowick

Manual de Práticas para o Melhor Manejo Pós-Colheita da Manga

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Steven A. Sargent, Adel A. Kader, Elizabeth J. Mitcham, Fernando Maul, Patrick E. Brecht, and Octavio Menocal

This manual includes quality-control procedures to use when monitoring the maturity and quality of mangos in commercial handling operations.

Organic Peach Production in Florida

David Campbell, Danielle Treadwell, Ali Sarkhosh, Oscar E. Liburd, and Jeff Brecht

Organic peach production systems in Florida are an attractive option for farmers selling direct-to-consumer, including U-Pick operations. Profitability is contingent upon appropriate cultivar selection, efficient nutrient and water management, preventative pest management, and selling fruit for a price premium during the early market window. This comprehensive 14-page fact sheet includes evidence- and producer-based best practice recommendations and is designed for small- and mid-size farm operators who are certified organic or who desire to use organic practices. Written by David Campbell, Danielle Treadwell, Ali Sarkhosh, Oscar E. Liburd, and Jeff Brecht, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.

Postharvest Anthocyanin Enhancement in Blood Orange Fruit

Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, and Jeffrey K. Brecht

This article discusses the postharvest enhancement and preservation of anthocyanin content in blood oranges grown in subtropical or tropical regions, such as Florida, for fresh consumption or for juice processing. The purpose of this article is to introduce growers, Extension agents, and specialists to simple postharvest methods for enhancing anthocyanin content in blood oranges, making the fruit more nutritious and more acceptable for consumption. Written by Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, and Jeffrey K. Brecht, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Horticultural Sciences, June 2025.

Manual de Prácticas para el Mejor Manejo Postcosecha del Mango

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Steven A. Sargent, Adel A. Kader, Elizabeth J. Mitcham, Fernando Maul, Patrick E. Brecht y Octavio Menocal

Este manual incluye los procedimientos de control de calidad a ser utilizados cuando se monitoree la madurez y calidad en las operaciones comerciales en cuanto al manejo de los frutos de mangos.

Fresh-Cut Mango Best Management Practices Manual

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Anne Plotto, Anna Marín-Gozalbo, and Renee Goodrich

The National Mango Board (NMB), an instrumentality of the US Department of Agriculture, commissioned this work to assist the mango industry. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information. However, NMB makes no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding errors or omissions and assumes no legal liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of information contained in this document. Mention of a trademark or proprietary product is for identification only and does not imply a guarantee or warranty of the product by the US Department of Agriculture. The US Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.

Handling Florida Tomatoes—Round and Roma Types

Steven A. Sargent, Jeffrey K. Brecht, Qingren Wang, and Teresa Olczyk

If picked at the proper mature-green stage and handled properly, tomatoes will ripen to excellent edible quality. Proper postharvest handling of Florida tomatoes is critical to ensure the continued competitiveness of Florida growers. This publication focuses on round and roma (plum) tomatoes since these types are handled similarly under commercial conditions.

Dehydrated and Freeze-dried Peach Fruit: A Prolonged Shelf-life Product through Modern Drying Techniques

Ali Sarkhosh, Fariborz Habibi, Steven A. Sargent, and Jeffrey K. Brecht

Peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) is a valuable temperate fruit from the Rosaceae family, which also includes many other commercially important fruits such as apples and pears, apricots, cherries and plums, and blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. Peaches are known for being a rich source of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and vitamins, as well as possessing a high antioxidant activity, all of which are associated with various health benefits. Furthermore, consumers greatly value high-quality peaches due to their exceptional nutritional value and enjoyable sensory attributes. This publication aims to familiarize growers, Extension agents and specialists, and the public with insight into drying methods of peach fruit, including freeze-drying and dehydration, that can extend shelf life of this commodity for year-round enjoyment.

Blood Oranges in Florida: Facts, Challenges, and Considerations

Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, Fred G. Gmitter Jr., and Jeffrey K. Brecht

This publication explores the potential for blood orange cultivation in Florida and discusses the opportunities and challenges faced by producers and the industry. It provides recommendations and suggestions for improving the production and consumption of blood oranges in Florida, offering insights for growers, Extension agents and specialists, and researchers. Written by Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, Fred G. Gmitter Jr., and Jeffrey K. Brecht, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Horticultural Sciences, November 2025.

Harvesting and Postharvest Handling of Stonefruits in Florida

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Mark A. Ritenour, Mercy A. Olmstead, Ali Sarkhosh, Jose X. Chaparro, Jerry A. Bartz, Steven A. Sargent, and John Van Sickle

Stonefruits grown commercially in Florida include peaches, nectarines, and plums. This publication is directed to current and potential stonefruit growers, handlers, and marketers, as well as researchers, Extension agents, students, and consumers. It provides information about the Florida stonefruit industry, stonefruit cultivars that are suitable for Florida, stonefruit postharvest physiology and pathology, fruit quality, and recommended postharvest handling and marketing practices.

Dried Persimmon Fruit: A Year-round Available Product

Ali Sarkhosh, Fariborz Habibi, Muhammad A. Shahid, Steven A. Sargent, and Jeffrey K. Brecht

Persimmons (Diospyros kaki) are known for their sweet and flavorful taste. They are native to Asia, specifically China, and were first grown in Florida in the 1870s. Persimmons are still not as popular in the United States as other fruits, but interest has been growing in recent years. Persimmon fruit are generally classified into astringent and non-astringent types. Astringent varieties can have adverse health effects caused by tannins and must be fully ripe (soft) or artificially treated to remove astringency. Drying is a common method to preserve and extend the shelf life of persimmons while also enhancing the flavor, color, and nutritional value of persimmons. There are different methods to dry persimmons, including traditional and modern methods.

Mango Postharvest Best Management Practices Manual

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Steven A. Sargent, Adel A. Kader, Elizabeth J. Mitcham, Fernando Maul, Patrick E. Brecht, and Octavio Menocal

This manual includes quality-control procedures to use when monitoring the maturity and quality of mangos in commercial handling operations.

Alleviating Astringency in Persimmon Fruit for Enhanced Palatability and Consumer Acceptability

Ali Sarkhosh, Fariborz Habibi, and Jeffrey K. Brecht

Persimmon fruits are classified as astringent or non-astringent, depending on the level of astringency the unripe or partially ripe fruit exhibit at the time of harvest. Astringency in persimmon fruit is a sensation caused by tannins present in the flesh that can make the mouth feel dry, cause puckering, numb the tongue, and constrict the throat. Sometimes, it may also impart a bitter taste. The astringency decreases as the fruit ripen until it is no longer present in fully ripe fruit. While consumers typically prefer non-astringent varieties, the cultivation of astringent varieties notably remains common. The purpose of this publication is to introduce consumers, growers, Extension agents, and specialists to postharvest methods for reducing astringency in unripe persimmons, making them more palatable and acceptable for consumption.

Postharvest Storage, Packaging, and Handling of Specialty Crops: A Guide for Florida Small Farm Producers

Jonathan Adam Watson, Danielle Treadwell, Steven A. Sargent, Jeffrey K. Brecht, and William Pelletier

Every year farmers must harvest their crops. This process marks the end of the growing season and carries social significance in communities, but it also creates challenges for producers trying to deliver fresh, high-quality produce to market. Good postharvest practices establish appropriate cold chains that maintain the correct temperatures, humidity, and respiration rates while also ensuring the safety, sanitation, and quality of the fruits. These postharvest practices differ, depending on the size and economic situation of an operation. This fact sheet provides postharvest storage, packaging, and handling recommendations for small farm specialty crop producers.

Citrus Fruit Pigments

Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, Jeongim Kim, Muhammad A. Shahid, Fred G. Gmitter Jr., and Jeffrey K. Brecht

Citrus fruits enjoy popularity among consumers due to their enjoyable flavor, health-beneficial properties, and nutritional value. The peel and flesh pigmentation of different citrus species and cultivars ranges from green, to yellow, orange, pink and red. Pigmentation is influenced by genetics, environmental conditions, and tree management. Mature fruit of edible citrus are diverse in size, flavor, and peel and flesh color. The external color of citrus fruits is one of their most important quality characteristics, but the internal pigments also play a significant role in determining their health benefits. The edible part of citrus fruits, including sweet orange, mandarin, pummelo, grapefruit, lime, and lemon, has distinct attributes and pigments.