Title: Effects of maturity on chlorophyll-related absorption in nectarines, measured by non-destructive time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy

Authors: L.M.M. Tijskens, P. Eccher Zerbini, M. Vanoli, S. Jacob, M. Grassi, R. Cubeddu, L. Spinelli, A. Torricelli

Addresses: Agrotechnology and Food Science Group, Horticultural Production Chains group, Wageningen UR, The Netherlands. ' CRA-IVTPA Istituto sperimentale per la Valorizzazione Tecnologica dei Prodotti Agricoli, Milan, Italy. ' CRA-IVTPA Istituto sperimentale per la Valorizzazione Tecnologica dei Prodotti Agricoli, Milan, Italy. ' CRA-IVTPA Istituto sperimentale per la Valorizzazione Tecnologica dei Prodotti Agricoli, Milan, Italy. ' CRA-IVTPA Istituto sperimentale per la Valorizzazione Tecnologica dei Prodotti Agricoli, Milan, Italy. ' CNR-INFM and CNR-IFN, Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Fisica, Milan, Italy. ' CNR-INFM and CNR-IFN, Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Fisica, Milan, Italy. ' CNR-INFM and CNR-IFN, Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Fisica, Milan, Italy

Abstract: The ripening of fruits like nectarines and peaches is characterised by the decrease in chlorophyll content or colour of the fruit flesh. However, measuring the colour of fruit flesh is usually not conducted, as there is a lack of suitable techniques. Time-Resolved Reflectance Spectroscopy (TRS) is a novel technique that can measure the light absorbed by the fruit flesh. Using a laser light beam at 670 nm, the chlorophyll content of the fruit flesh is assessed without disrupting the natural structure of the fruit. Data on individual fruits of different maturity at harvest were analysed based on a deterministic model using mixed effect non-linear regression. The results indicate that an analysis of data combined from pre- and post-harvest is possible. Using the theory of Biological Shift Factor, an explained part of 97% is obtained at 20° C and 85% at 10° C.

Keywords: maturity; nectarines; nondestructive testing; NDT; peaches; postharvest; preharvest; time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy; TRS; fruit ripening; chlorophyll related absorption; peaches; biological shift factor.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2006.011660

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2006 Vol.1 No.2, pp.178 - 188

Published online: 11 Dec 2006 *

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