Nutritional status of fruit and vegetable crops

Diet forms a crucial part of maintaining good health and there is a growing awareness of the importance of nutrition and diet to consumers, processors and retailers alike. Techniques for optimising and maintaining the nutritional content of fruits and vegetables have become increasingly important. These techniques could range from agronomic crop treatments, to post-harvest storage and handling. This review covers the impact of varieties, agronomy, plant breeding, crop treatments and post-harvest storage, as well as the legislation relating to nutritional and health benefit claims on foods. It also suggests possible ways in which the levels of certain plant compounds could be increased, considering the evidence of crop inputs and management, and highlights possible areas for future practical research work. The many compounds in fruits and vegetables which are reported to have a beneficial effect on human health are described. The roles of plant breeding, agronomic practice, temperature, fertilisation, irrigation and crop maturity are identified as having an influence on the biochemical profile of a range of crop types.