Dr Sandra Landahl

Research Fellow

Cranfield Soil and Agrifood Institute

Contact Dr Sandra Landahl

Tel: +44 (0) 1234 758345
Email: s.landahl@cranfield.ac.uk

Areas of expertise

Background

Dr Landahl is researcher in the Plant Science Laboratory, which is one of the largest University-based groups dedicated to research, consultancy and education in postharvest technology. Special interests are in non-destructively measured mechanical properties of fruit and vegetables. Experience obtained in vibrational measurement systems and near infrared spectrophotometry, and standard destructive texture testing. Biochemical techniques to evaluate organoleptic quality and health benefits were applied in multiple projects. Storage trials involving controlled atmosphere were included in postharvest technology work.

Current activities

Project "Extending the availability and flavour-life of UK apples using innovative photonics" will advance UK-grown apple sales by maintaining flavour quality during storage. The UK apple industry is worth £190 million at retail and supports many jobs in the industry directly, on farms and in transport.

To achieve a year-round supply, apples are typically stored for up to six months, depending on variety. The supply of UK-grown top fruit is restricted to a small marketing window (September to March) due to late stored fruit not competing in quality terms with new season Southern Hemisphere fruit.

Our proposed work will build upon recent research to develop novel sensors to better inform targeted controlled atmosphere, which will control ripening while maintaining flavour. This offers the ability to extend storage to help reduce waste and the reliance on imports.

Project "Implementing novel, cost effective alternatives to CIPC for sustainable potato storage". Long-term storage of potato tubers is essential for year round supply. Maintaining sprout suppression and low reducing sugars during storage of processing potatoes is paramount for supply quality and minimising the formation of acrylamide; key priorities for the processing industry. Potato storage is still heavily reliant on the chemical chlorpropham (CIPC) to manage sprouting but further restrictions are coming into force. The proposed work will build upon recent research and develop novel, cost effective, benign, physiologically-targeted storage interventions which will suppress sprouting and maintain low sugars. This offers a route to incremental reduction in and ultimately the removal of the use of CIPC within the UK and beyond.