Mechanical properties of citrus and impact damage under different storage conditions

Abstract

[EN] Mechanical handling of fresh-market citrus is restricted by damage susceptibility. The objective of this research study was to determine the effect of variety and storage conditions on the resistance of citrus to impact damage. Three citrus varieties, two of them in two different stages of maturity, were tested in two different experiments: a freedropping experiment and a physical properties experiment. Two relative humidity conditions and two temperature conditions were studied. In the physical properties test, puncture resistance and compression resistance were measured. Significant differences were found in the damage resistance of each of the varieties. Puncture resistance of the peel of postharvest citrus and whole-fruit compression resistance are related to storage temperature and relative humidity conditions. To increase citrus whole-fruit compression resistance and peel puncture resistance, low temperatures and high relative humidity should be used. Under suitable previous temperature and relative humidity conditions, citrus varieties such as ‘Valencia Late,’ with a high resistance to compression and low peel deformation, could be apt for aggressive mechanical handling.