88E-32 |
Mechanical damage during transport of Mexican tomatoes for exportation |
E. MERCADO-SILVA1, M. Fabela-Gallegos2, A. Lozano-Guzmán2, R. Hernández-Jiménez2, and O. Godínez-Rocha1. (1) Departamento de Investigación y Posgrado en Alimentos, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, Cerro de las Campanas s/n, Querétaro, Qro., 76010, Mexico, (2) Departamento de Vibraciones, Instituto Mexicano del Transporte, Km.12 carr. Querétaro-Galindo, Sanfandila, Pedro Escobedo, Qro., Mexico The mechanical damage of fruit and vegetables is the principal cause of lost quality, the effect of transport system on the quality of tomato Mexican for exportation has been little studied and it does not be known which are vibration and acceleration conditions that conduce to damage of the fruit. The objective was to determinate the vibration fonts in a typical transport system of tomato that induce damage to fruit A typical T3-S2 vehicle loaded with 30 pallets of tomatoes was instrumented for to measure the frequency and acceleration in a road from Queretaro Mexico to Nuevo Laredo., with this information a posterior study in laboratory was developed to define the effects of different vibrations conditions on the tomato quality. The changes of color, texture and ethylene production were measured in control and treated fruit during 1 week after the treatment. The frequency of 8.5 Hz and accelerations of 0.8 and 1.0g induced damage to the fruit on the top of the pallets. mechanical damage was visible in punctual form on the surface damaged, the ethylene production was higher in fruit damaged than fruit control. The force necessary to deform 5% of the high was 14- 12N for control and 7-9N in damaged fruit but this difference was lower through the ripening process; the b* value changed normally in fruit control from 25-30 to 18-22 and the fruit damaged did show little change in the color and the damage surface looks greenish always. The frequencies around 8Hz and acceleration of 1g were conditions of damage during the transport of tomatoes and these should be avoided in the transport system when the fruit is packing in cardboard boxes with plastic trays. The pallets with more risk of damage were in the back position of vehicle.
Session 88E, Fruit & Vegetable Products: Processing
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