Influence of ascorbic acid application on quality and storage life of fruits

India is major producer of fruits of the world with 2nd ranking. An appreciable quantity of produce is lost due to multitude of factors such as improper post-harvest operations, perishable nature; as a result, there is a huge gap between production and availability. About 10-15% fresh fruits shrivel or spoil, lowering market value along with consumer acceptability. Quality cannot be improved during storage. Selection of fruit varieties is based on marketability, yield and keeping quality because these factors affect the bottom line.