THE EFFECT OF POST HARVEST HANDLING ON THE QUALITY AND MARKETABILITY OF LOCALLY HARVESTED TOMATOES IN (GWALAMEJI, YELWA METROPOLIS OF BAUCHI STATE)

Abstract This study evaluates the effects of different post-harvest storage methods on the physicochemical quality and marketability of locally harvested tomatoes in Gwallameji, Yelwa Metropolis of Bauchi State. The research was designed to determine changes in moisture content, pH, and total soluble solids (°Brix) of tomatoes stored under five conditions: control (open air), wooden basket, plastic basket, wooden basket treated with moringa powder, and plastic basket treated with moringa powder. Standard analytical procedures were used for data collection, including oven drying for moisture determination, pH meter for acidity measurement, and refractometer for °Brix analysis. The findings revealed a gradual decline in moisture content from 95.20% to 77.27% across the storage period, indicating significant water loss through transpiration and respiration. The pH values ranged from 4.16 to 4.71, remaining within the normal acidic range (4.0–4.6), signifying acceptable freshness and microbial safety. The mean °Brix value of 2.76 ± 0.04 showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) among treatments, suggesting that storage conditions—especially moringa-treated baskets—positively influenced sugar retention. Correlation analysis indicated a strong negative relationship between storage duration and moisture content (r = –1.00), and a positive correlation between time and pH (r = +1.00). The study concludes that moringa-treated plastic storage offered the best preservation of tomato quality, minimizing deterioration and extending shelf life. It recommends promoting low-cost, locally adaptable storage techniques and natural preservatives such as moringa powder to reduce post-harvest losses, improve market value, and enhance food security among smallholder farmers.