Food science articles
Measuring Gas Exchange in Biosynthesis of Phytochemicals
Scientists are constantly searching for reliable and affordable sources of medicines. It is well known that many plants have medicinal value and trace amounts of the phytochemicals of interest. However, the production of medicines from these plants requires that harvesting and extraction be in amounts that allow the process to remain sustainable. One study that… Continue reading…
Vis-NIR Spectroscopy for Mandarins
Mandarin is among the fruits for which the application of VIS-NIR spectroscopy techniques has been widely tested by scientists. It has been proven to be suitable to assess dry matter, total soluble solids, titrable acidity, and firmness with great accuracy. There are many applications for this internal data to determine the maturity, health, and quality… Continue reading…
NIR for Grapes
Portable devices based on near-infrared and visible light spectroscopy have revolutionized grape analysis in the vineyard, supply chain, and the processing of grape products. These new tools can be used to gather rapid and precise information on the chemical composition, nutritional value, and physiology of grapes. In this article, we provide a brief overview of… Continue reading…
Quality Olive Oil Using Dry Matter Estimation
Due to its health benefits, olive oil’s global popularity has grown substantially in recent years, making the olive one of the most extensively grown crops in the world. Since there are different grades of olive oil produced, it is necessary to be able to optimize for both oil quantity and quality. The color index method… Continue reading…
Natural Alternatives for Postharvest Avocado Storage
Due to the rising preference for organic food, it is becoming necessary to replace chemical coating on fruits with natural alternatives. Recent studies from South Africa have found a potential replacement for avocados, which could substantially reduce postharvest losses. A small handheld ethylene measuring device played a key role in this exciting new research. Avocado… Continue reading…
In-line VIS-NIR Spectroscopy for Produce Sorting
Consumers expect that the fruits and vegetables they buy are of the highest quality. Therefore, more in-depth quality control and sorting systems are increasingly being used to ensure that supplies reaching retailers meet the required standards. Many fruits and vegetables today are still sorted mostly on the basis of external features such as color, size,… Continue reading…
Coffee and Ethylene | Influence of Ethylene Production and Gene Expression on Anthesis in Coffee
Ethylene (C2H4), a hormone produced in the roots and shoots of a plant, is responsible for the ripening processes in climacteric fruits, germination of seeds, elongation of the stem, and senescence of leaves. Depending on the species, ethylene can also encourage or inhibit flowering, pollen and ovule development, flower opening, and senescence. Moreover, ethylene can… Continue reading…
Importance of Monitoring Ethylene Post-Harvest
Ethylene is a phyto-hormone present in plants. Levels of the hormone that exist normally in storage facilities are high enough to reduce post-harvest time in the case of both climacteric and non-climacteric fruits. It is, therefore, necessary to monitor the levels of ethylene accurately at various points of fresh produce supply chains. Until recently, there… Continue reading…
Gas Analysis in Agriculture
Three main gases have to be monitored in the production of fruits and vegetables: oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene. They are essential in the post-harvest stage and greenhouse production of vegetables and fruits. We discuss the roles of the three gases and some relevant field technologies used in analyzing and controlling their levels. The Need… Continue reading…
A Fresh Perspective on Produce Storage
Food security and the quality of products are two vital aspects that concern not only producers, but also planners and governments. Nearly half of the fresh produce is lost, but much of this loss can be prevented by using technological solutions that have been tried and tested. A new wave of innovations has miniaturized techniques,… Continue reading…