| Popis: |
A laser–puff firmness tester (puff of air with deformation read by laser beam) has been found to differentiate over time, non–melting–flesh from melting–flesh peaches. Non–melting–flesh peaches maintain flesh integrity during ripening rather than exhibit the characteristic softening or ‘melting.’ Peaches of various cultivars and of flesh type melting or non–melting, were harvested on 28 May, 5 June, 10 June, 17 June, and 30 June 1999, according to when they were ripe. Each fruit was successively examined over approximately 20 days, being held in air–conditioned storage (20.C, 70%RH) between examinations. When examined with the laser–puff tester, non–melting peaches exhibited an increasingly greater surface deformation over time compared with the deformation of melting–flesh peaches. Even though the deformation increased, the natural rate of decay was observed to be the same as for melting–flesh peaches and the increase was attributed to the non–melting–flesh peaches having a resilient or rubbery surface texture. By having this texture, non–melting–flesh peaches may experience less bruising during harvesting and post–harvest handling than occurs in melting–flesh peaches. |
