ISSN: 0090-3973
Published Online: 21 December 2007
Page Count: 7

Mechanical and Light Properties of Mangosteen Fruit as Related to Postharvest Quality

Jarimopas, Bundit
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Kamphaengsaen Engineering Faculty, Kasetsart University,

Pushpariksha, Phanida
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Kamphaengsaen Engineering Faculty, Kasetsart University,

Singh, S. Paul
School of Packaging, Michigan State University,MI,

Singh, Jay
Orfalea College of Business, Cal Poly State University,CA,

(Received 27 March 2006; accepted 8 October 2007)

Abstract

During this study the postharvest damages of fresh mangosteen at wholesale level in Thailand were investigated from April to October 2004. Damages included fruit cracking, hard rind, rough surface, translucent flesh, gummosis, and decay. Total percentage of all damages that made fruit inedible was 43.3 % of production yield. Weight, volume, and dimension of large, medium, small, and undersized mangosteens were measured. The term of dimension ratio was introduced as a sizing parameter compared to the conventional trade parameter. The coefficient of static friction was also determined. This coefficient for gloss and rough surface mangosteens on plexiglass, plywood, and galvanized iron steel varied from 0.31 to 0.46. Color of sound and defective fruits was measured in terms of tristimulus values, X, Y, and Z. It was observed that the corresponding chromaticity coordinates, x and z for mangosteens depend on their maturity stage while y depends on the type of fruit surface. A color ratio term is proposed to be used as a nondestructive technique for detecting internal defects of mangosteens. The highest percentage of correct prediction was found at the color ratio X¹/X²> 1.25 at 67.4 %

Keywords:
mangosteen, grading, color, friction, physical properties, postharvest loss

Paper ID: JTE100559
DOI: 10.1520/JTE100559
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