Open AccessFirmness Measurement of Freshly Harvested `Delicious' Apples by Sensory Methods, Sonic Transmission, Magness-Taylor, and Compression
Author(s) -
James Abbott
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of the american society for horticultural science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.408
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 2327-9788
pISSN - 0003-1062
DOI - 10.21273/jashs.119.3.510
Subject(s) - ripeness , compression (physics) , instrumentation (computer programming) , nondestructive testing , texture (cosmology) , horticulture , mathematics , chemistry , materials science , composite material , food science , artificial intelligence , computer science , ripening , biology , physics , image (mathematics) , quantum mechanics , operating system
A rapid nondestructive method for measuring apple texture using sonic vibrational characteristics of intact apples was tested on freshly harvested `Delicious' apples from major U.S. production areas. Sonic transmission spectra and Magness-Taylor (MT) firmness were measured on whole apples and compression measurements were made on excised tissue. Two experienced Agricultural Marketing Service apple inspectors assessed each apple and assigned a ripeness score according to U.S. Dept. of Agriculture grades and standards inspection procedures (based primarily on texture). Sonic functions correlated significantly with ripeness scores, MT firmness, and forces to rupture or crush the tissue in compression. Ripeness scores were more closely correlated with the destructive firmness measurements than with sonic functions. However, sonic measurement has the advantage of being nondestructive, whereas MT and tissue compression are inherently destructive. Further research is needed to modify the Instrumentation and Sensing Laboratory`s sonic technique to improve the prediction of apple firmness before it can be adapted for on-line sorting.