ศูนย์นวัตกรรมเทคโนโลยีหลังการเก็บเกี่ยว

Damage to peaches during postharvest treatment and transport.

Ragni, L., Berardinelli, A., Barchi, G. L. and Baraldi, G.

Informatore Agrario. 57: 55–59. 2001.

2001

บทคัดย่อ

Using a peach-sized sphere fitted with recording instruments at 3 fruit packing establishments in Salerno (Italy), the effects on fruit quality of various handling methods were analysed. Peaches suffered the most severe impacts when dropping on to belt conveyors, into the bottom of bins, and being placed manually on rotating surfaces. Damage caused by 3 falls of different peach cultivars was compared. Cv. Rich May showed 29% damage, cv. Ruby Rich 15%, cv. Big Top 24%, and cv. Flaminia 5%. It is stressed that fruit would not suffer as many as 3 impacts under normal handling conditions. The use of various inexpensive devices to minimize impact damage is outlined, such as the use of chutes to avoid fruit falling on to a belt conveyor immediately above a support bar and the use of soft plastic 'cushions' at the bottom of bins. The use of such devices would allow fruit to be picked at a riper stage and so enhance the flavour. In a further trial to assess damage from vibration during transport, vibrations were more intense in trays at the top of a pile than in those at the bottom, but no significant damage was caused.