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Vasconcellea pubescens (mountain papaya) is an underutilized Andean fruit with distinctive nutritional and functional properties, yet its rapid softening and short shelf-life result in significant postharvest losses. This review summarizes current knowledge on the physiology of fruit development and ripening, with emphasis on cell wall disassembly, color changes, and ethylene regulation as determinants of postharvest quality. Advances in postharvest management strategies, including temperature control, packaging, and ethylene-modulating treatments (such as 1-MCP), are discussed in the context of preserving fruit firmness, extending shelf life, and reducing food waste. Furthermore, the high content of bioactive compounds—such as papain, phenolics, and flavonoids—underscores the potential of valorizing by-products through sustainable biotechnological applications. Despite recent progress, critical gaps remain in genomic resources, predictive quality monitoring, and large-scale implementation of preservation techniques. Addressing these challenges could enhance the economic and ecological value of V. pubescens, positioning it as both a model species for postharvest research and a promising fruit for reducing food losses in horticultural supply chains.
