Articles
Toward a non-invasive methodology for assessing apple ripening state in real time during refrigeration storage
Article number
1456_28
Pages
215 – 222
Language
English
Abstract
Refrigerated storage is one of the most commonly used methods for extending the shelf life of apples after harvesting.
Although coupled with controlled atmosphere to further increase shelf life, implementing a controlled atmosphere is not always feasible.
Quality of apples is often evaluated visually or through destructive measurement techniques.
These time-consuming methods do not easily reflect the current fruit’s metabolic state.
The metabolic activity of apples is strongly influenced by the plant hormone ethylene, which the fruit both produces and absorbs.
In climacteric fruits such as apples, ethylene production typically follows a concave curve, which in turn induces a similar pattern in the fruit’s aerobic respiration.
This characteristic curve indirectly indicates the fruit’s ripeness.
Therefore, it is of great interest to develop a method that can capture and predict respiration kinetics in real time, ultimately determining the optimal timing for removing apples from cold storage for delivery.
To address this purpose, we propose a measurement system capable of real-time respiration monitoring and a mechanistic model to describe the evolution of fruit respiration over time, which parameters are estimated using reverse approach on Pink Lady apples experimental data at ambient temperature.
However, the implementation of this real-time approach under cold storage conditions remains a challenge and requires further investigation.
Although coupled with controlled atmosphere to further increase shelf life, implementing a controlled atmosphere is not always feasible.
Quality of apples is often evaluated visually or through destructive measurement techniques.
These time-consuming methods do not easily reflect the current fruit’s metabolic state.
The metabolic activity of apples is strongly influenced by the plant hormone ethylene, which the fruit both produces and absorbs.
In climacteric fruits such as apples, ethylene production typically follows a concave curve, which in turn induces a similar pattern in the fruit’s aerobic respiration.
This characteristic curve indirectly indicates the fruit’s ripeness.
Therefore, it is of great interest to develop a method that can capture and predict respiration kinetics in real time, ultimately determining the optimal timing for removing apples from cold storage for delivery.
To address this purpose, we propose a measurement system capable of real-time respiration monitoring and a mechanistic model to describe the evolution of fruit respiration over time, which parameters are estimated using reverse approach on Pink Lady apples experimental data at ambient temperature.
However, the implementation of this real-time approach under cold storage conditions remains a challenge and requires further investigation.
Authors
K. Vidot
Keywords
apple ripening, mechanistic model, CO2 release sensor
Online Articles (48)