Evaluation Of Quality Of Fruits And Vegetables

Acceptance or rejection of any edible commodity, whether it is raw or processed, is usually conditioned by sensory stimuli. The impact of these stimuli on the decision-making proce·ss is broadly termed sensory evaluation. Advances in sensory evaluation research have been slow in the past because of the human factor-the necessity to use highly trained sensory panels to conduct this research. High technology in strumentation and new understandings of sensory evaluations are now combining to make possible quantum jumps forward in sensory eval uation research. It is widely recognized that the sensory aspects of fruits and vegeta bles are affected by many factors, among them environment, variety, cultural practices, and handling practices. However, if one attempts to find a general reference or compilation of findings regarding this sub ject area there seems to be few, if any, available. A survey of the literature does suggest that in the past few years research into specific factors which influence the sensory aspects of fruits and vegetables has increased significantly. This increased interest in sensory research and the renewed national awareness of the value of research into pre and postharvest quality of fruits and vegetables prompted the Flavor Subdivision, Agricultural and Food Chemistry Division, American Chemical Society to sponsor a symposium entitled "Sensory Evalua tion of Fruits and Vegetables: Effect of Environment, Cultural Prac tices and Variety" during the 1982 meeting in Kansas City, Missouri.

Here is an abundance of valuable information on different sensing techniques for fruits and vegetables. The volume covers emerging technologies, such as NMR, MRI, wireless sensor networks (WSN), and radio-frequency identification (RFID) and their potential for industrial applications. Key features of the volume: • Provides an inclusive review of the developments of sensors for quality analysis and inspection of fresh fruits and vegetables • Fosters an understanding of the basic sensing techniques for quality assessment of fresh fruits and vegetables • Covers advanced sensing technologies, including computer vision, spectroscopy, X-rays, magnetic resonance, mechanical contact, wireless sensor networks, and radio-frequency identification sensors • Reviews the significant progress in sensor development of noninvasive techniques for quality assessment of fruits and vegetables

Improved quality requires integration across business functions and scientific disciplines. Based on this premise, Fruit and Vegetable Quality: An Integrated View presents 15 unique perspectives on achieving greater quality and guidance for a more integrated approach to postharvest handling and fruit and vegetable research. Designed for anyone involved in the management, production, handling, distribution, or processing of fruits and vegetables, it provides concise descriptions of important issues, roadmaps to the literature in specific fields, assessments of current knowledge and research needs, and specific examples of product-based research. Your guide to the dynamic developments in integrating fruit and vegetable quality projects, Fruit and Vegetable Quality: An Integrated View also presents a range of options for achieving better coordination of research across scientific disciplines.

This book covers various method of extending the postharvest life of fruits and vegetables viz, storage, packaging, canning, chemical & low temperatures preservation, irradiation, fermentation & waste management.

Food quality is becoming an ever-increasing important feature for consumers and it is well known that some food crops are perishable and have a very short shelf and storage life. An effective quality assurance system throughout the handling steps between harvest and retail display is essential to provide a consistently good quality supply of fresh food crops to the consumers and to protect the reputation of a given marketing label. Food manufacturing companies all over the world are incre- ingly focussing on quality aspect of food including minimally processed food to meet consumer demands for fresh-like and healthy food products. To investigate and control quality, one must be able to measure quality-related attributes. Quality of produce encompasses sensory attributes, nutritive values, chemical constituents, mechanical properties, functional properties and defects. Successful postharvest handling of crops requires careful coordination and integration of the various steps from harvest operations to consumer level in order to maintain the initial product quality. Maturity at harvest is one feature of quality of perishable products, it has great influence on their postharvest behavior during marketing. Safety assurance can be part of quality assurance and its focus on minimizing chemical and microbial contamination during production, harvesting, and postharvest handling of intact and fresh-cut of commodities. Essentially, electromagnetic (often optical) prop- ties relate to appearance, mechanical properties to texture, and chemical properties to flavor (taste and aroma).

The proceedings of an international conference in Turku, Finland, April 1998 on the quality management of plant-based food materials throughout the production chain from field to table. The 89 papers discuss developments in improving vegetable and fruit quality through plant breeding, modifying cultivation technology, and optimizing practices both before and after the harvest. The sessions cover quality challenges in the future, consumer attitudes to improving the quality of crops and food, sustainable production, the effects of post-harvest and pre- harvest practices on quality, quality assessment, and quality improvements and functional foods. Distributed in the US by Springer-Verlag at some $25 above the British price. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This book describes the various techniques for nondestructive quality assessment of fruits and vegetables. It covers the methods, measurements, operation principles, procedures, data analysis, and applications for implementing these techniques. The book presents the details of nondestructive approaches focusing on the present-day trends and existing future opportunities in the fresh food supply chain. First, it overviews different nondestructive techniques in food quality detection. Then it presents nondestructive methods: monochrome computer vision, imaging techniques, biospeckle laser technique, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, Raman spectroscopy, near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, X-ray computed tomography, ultrasound, acoustic emission, chemometrics, electronic nose and tongue. Selected applications of each method are also introduced. As a result, readers gain a better understanding of how to use nondestructive methods and technologies to detect the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables. With a wide range of interesting topics, the book will benefit readers including postharvest & food scientists/technologists, industry personnel and researchers involved in fresh produce quality detection. The book can also serve as a readily accessible reference material for postgraduate students.