Pedro Javier Zapata Coll

Pedro Javier Zapata Coll serves as Associate Professor and Department Deputy Director in the Department of Agro-Food Technology at Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, actively contributing to the Research Group on Postharvest of Fruits and Vegetables.

His research centers on postharvest preservation of fruits and vegetables, specializing in eco-innovative pre-harvest treatments to enhance quality and extend shelf life. Key focus areas include food traceability, environmental management in agro-food systems, and quality control methodologies for fresh and minimally processed produce.

Analysis of his 2022 publications reveals dominant research themes: application of methyl jasmonate, melatonin, and carvacrol to mitigate chilling injury in pomegranates; optimization of storage conditions for peppers and artichokes; and development of encapsulated treatments for controlling citrus rots. His work consistently bridges laboratory research with commercial postharvest solutions.

He coordinates Master's Final Projects across multiple specializations in Agro-Food Technology and Quality programs while teaching core courses in Food Traceability, Environmental Management, and Pre/Postharvest Eco-Innovative Treatments for undergraduate and graduate students.

His laboratory work operates within the University Institute for Agro-food and Agro-environmental Research and Innovation, where he collaborates on developing sustainable postharvest protocols for Mediterranean horticultural crops through the Postharvest of Fruits and Vegetables research group.