INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF WATER STATUS AND PRODUCE TEXTURE - AN EVALUATION OF NON-DESTRUCTIVE METHODS

Investigation on the potential of applying bio-based edible coatings for horticultural products exemplified with cucumbers

Plastic packaging for fresh horticultural produce has many advantages but generates plastic waste and ecological alternatives are required. Edible coatings can retard many processes related to loss of quality. Hydrophobic lipid-based coatings are preferably applied for fresh fruits and vegetables. The approval of such coatings for products with edible peels in EU is increasingly under discussion. However, investigations on the efficiency of various edible coatings on soft-skinned fruit and vegetables are rare and it is currently unclear whether the consumer will accept them. Therefore, this study investigates (1) important characteristics of a lipid-based coating and (2) its ability to maintain the post-harvest quality of fresh cucumbers. This was evaluated by a comparative storage test under common suboptimal retail conditions (20 °C; 65% RH). The study also evaluates (3) the general perception of consumers about and their acceptance of the application of edible coatings on fresh fruit and vegetables with edible peels. The investigated coating was able to drastically reduce water loss (54-68%) and fruit respiration (approx. 33%) of fresh cucumber. The reduction of tissue stiffness was delayed by 2 days, thus, prolonged shelf life. Majority of consumer (77%) endorse the application of edible coatings as an alternative to plastic packaging, but emphasized important requirements for them.

Relationship between Acoustic Firmness and Magness Taylor Firmness in Royal Gala and Golden Smoothee Apples

This study aimed to evaluate apple firmness measured using both the penetrometer and acoustic methods. The methodologies were applied to Royal Gaya and Golden Smoothee apples (Malus domestica. Borkh) harvested from 12 different orchards in Catalonia (Spain), on six different dates, and over three seasons. The relationship between firmness and physicochemical quality parameters was analyzed at harvest and post-harvest. The results obtained showed a noticeable correlation between Magness Taylor firmness and acoustic measurements in Royal Gala, but no correlation was found for Golden Smoothee. Fruit variety and storage had a clear influence on correlations between the two measurements. Measurements of Magnes Taylor and acoustic firmness seemed to correspond to different physical properties. Acoustic measurements seemed to be a good tool for evaluating changes in tissue firmness during long-term storage, especially for Golden Smoothee apples. The maturity of the fruit seemed to play a more important role in the measurement of Magnes Taylor firmness than in the measurement of acoustic firmness for the Royal Gaya variety.