Effect of Storage Period on Physico-Mechanical Properties of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) Peel and Fruit

摘要

The physico-mechanical properties data of fruits and vegetables are important in adoption and design of various handling, packaging, storage and transportation systems. Physico-mechanical properties of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) namely peel tensile strength, fruit color, weight loss, bioyield point and firmness were determined with respect to storage period under ambient and refrigerated conditions. Peel tensile strength and modulus of elasticity decreased with storage period in both ambient and refrigerated conditions. The color index of sweet orange followed a fourth order polynomial equation during storage. At the end of 12 days storage, the fruit cumulative weight loss in ambient and refrigerated conditions was 27.46 and 12.32%, respectively. The firmness of sweet orange decreased from 109.6 to 65.4 N and from 135.0 to 81.9 N, respectively, under ambient and refrigerated conditions in horizontal orientation. It decreased from 139.1 to 87.6 N and from 163.6 to 100.6 N, respectively, under ambient and refrigerated conditions in vertical orientation. The firmness of sweet orange fruits was higher in vertical orientation than that in horizontal orientation.