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- Author or Editor: Eugene M. Kupferman x
Shelf life of perishable commodities is a function of time by temperature effects on the composite kinetic reactions within each commodity. Empirical tests to approximate shelf life have limited value, particularly in long-distance shipment when less than ideal storage conditions occur, such as for the export market. Time temperature monitors (TTMs) have been developed for monitoring storage temperatures and predicting remaining shelf life. Kinetics curves for ripening of pears, yellow color development in broccoli and browning of mushrooms were compared to kinetics properties of available TTMs at 5, 10, and 20°C. Each commodity deteriorated or ripened at rates corresponding to a different TTM. At 20°C, broccoli kinetics were similar to TTM MC 60 or 67, pears to MC 74, and mushrooms MC 66. Customized TTMs and application of this technology will be discussed.
Shelf life of perishable commodities is a function of time by temperature effects on the composite kinetic reactions within each commodity. Empirical tests to approximate shelf life have limited value, particularly in long-distance shipment when less than ideal storage conditions occur, such as for the export market. Time temperature monitors (TTMs) have been developed for monitoring storage temperatures and predicting remaining shelf life. Kinetics curves for ripening of pears, yellow color development in broccoli and browning of mushrooms were compared to kinetics properties of available TTMs at 5, 10, and 20°C. Each commodity deteriorated or ripened at rates corresponding to a different TTM. At 20°C, broccoli kinetics were similar to TTM MC 60 or 67, pears to MC 74, and mushrooms MC 66. Customized TTMs and application of this technology will be discussed.
Abstract
Mesocarp development of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch cv. Redhaven] as measured by fresh weight and size increase, progressed along a double sigmoid curve which was reflected in the activity of extractable wall-associated α- and β-nitrophenylgalactosidases. Enzyme activities, both on protein and dry weight basis, rose rapidly during early fruit development, leveled off, then again rose rapidly at maturation. There was more α-nitrophenylgalactosidase activity than β-nitrophenylgalactosidase activity throughout development. Increases in both galactosidases followed rather than preceded increases in size. The final increases were, however, well correlated with fruit maturation.
Damage (pitting and bruising) to sweet cherries during packing line operations was evaluated in a 3-year study conducted in California, Washington, and Oregon. A large percentage of cherries sampled before packing developed damage symptoms (28% in 1992 and 35% in 1993 and 1994), suggesting that damage is imparted during growing, harvest, or transport to the packing house. Packing line operations caused an average of 39% pitting and 10% bruising. The greatest damage was imparted by cluster cutters (20% pitting) and shower type hydrocoolers (19% pitting). Results from this study demonstrate that packing line damage can be reduced by slowing fruit speed in cluster cutters, operating cluster cutters at high fruit-throughput rates, and reducing water drop height in shower hydrocoolers.