f-751-avo Archives - Felix Instruments

How Does Bruise Susceptibility in Fresh Produce Impact Quality and Harvest Timing?

Bruise susceptibility varies based on the species, cultivar, and physical and physiological properties of fresh produce. The critical bruising threshold estimates the bruise susceptibility of fruits at different firmness. A critical bruising threshold has been used to develop a harvest maturity index that identifies the minimum firmness (or maximum maturity) for harvesting stone fruits. Bruising… Continue reading…

Five Significant Research Findings on Fruit Quality Management in 2024

Fruit quality studies in 2024 aim to future-proof food production against the vagaries of climate change and to meet increasing demand. As in previous years, the focus remains on eradicating chemicals to improve food and environment safety. Research on AI-based models and tools is a standard theme, but it is diversifying to produce cost-effective versions… Continue reading…

Harvest Index vs Harvest Maturity Index: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

The harvest index and harvest maturity index maximize yield and quality but involve different purposes, measurement methods, stakeholders, timing, and target crops. The harvest index is used during the research and cultivar development stage to measure plant function efficiency and estimates the carbon allotted to make harvestable products. The harvest maturity index estimates the best… Continue reading…

How Fruit Quality Monitoring Improves Sustainability and Reduces Food Loss

Fruit quality monitoring is an integral part of the fresh produce supply chain. Fruit quality monitoring improves productivity and reduces food loss on farm and postharvest stages to enhance food security and responsible production. The environmental impacts indirectly through quality monitoring are reduced carbon footprint, less water resource depletion and pollution, and better biodiversity protection… Continue reading…

How Fresh Produce Quality Control Meters Save Money By Reducing Loss and Time

Perishable fresh produce is the food group with the most significant loss. Preharvest and postharvest quality monitoring can control quality to reduce losses at critical points in the supply chain. User-friendly precision quality meters based on near-infrared spectroscopy cut analysis time and give objective, accurate results to reduce working time. The fresh produce supply chain… Continue reading…

How to Improve Post-harvest Quality in Fresh Produce

Factors affecting post-harvest quality are determined by harvest time, method, and fresh produce maturity. Subsequent postharvest handling during precooling, sorting, grading, packaging, storage, and transport conditions will also influence fresh produce quality and marketing time. Significant differences exist in postharvest technology between developing and developed countries. Fresh produce is highly perishable and suffers from physical… Continue reading…

How to Test Pre-harvest Quality in Fresh Produce

All preharvest growing conditions and management practices affect yield and quality. Generalizations are challenging, as the same factor can have varying effects on different quality parameters of a single fruit. Recommendations for shared best practices to optimize yield and quality are given. A significant percentage of food loss is attributed to decreased yield and quality… Continue reading…

Maximizing Agricultural Quality and Efficiency: The Comprehensive Guide to Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) Applications

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is used preharvest for maturity estimation, nutrient and water management, and biological stress detection. In the post-harvest stage, NIRS is used for shelf life assessment, defects and disease detection, process monitoring, sorting, packaging, retailing, and authentication. Portable NIRS devices are seeing the most development for commercial use. The good fresh produce qualities… Continue reading…

FDA’s New Final Food Product Traceability Rule: FSMA 204 Explained

Traceability is a critical aspect of modern food supply chain management, contributing to food safety, quality assurance, and the overall integrity of the food industry. The Final Rule of the FSMA 204 focuses on detailed and rapid communication of information on food products on the Food Traceability List to trace and remove unsafe food. The… Continue reading…

Medicinal Plant Extracts for Post-harvest Fresh Produce Preservation

Medicinal plants have phytochemicals and antioxidants that could have applications for fresh produce preservation instead of chemicals. Research findings show that medicinal plant extracts can improve several physical and chemical quality attributes. Medicinal plant extracts reduce disease incidence and severity of pest attacks by direct action against causal agents or by strengthening the plant defense… Continue reading…