18 Questions
What is the recommended harvest time for potatoes to be stored?
Soon after the leaves and stems have died
What is the primary purpose of a penetrometer or texturometer in measuring fruit texture?
To apply a force to the fruit surface to determine firmness
Why should bright red, full-sized ackee fruit not be forced open for human consumption?
Because they may be toxic
What is the characteristic of fruit that can change during maturation and is used to determine harvest maturity?
Firmness of the fruit
What is the purpose of the abscission layer in fruit development?
To form a natural separation from the plant
How can the ripeness of some fruit be detected during harvest?
By gently squeezing the fruit
What is the term for the natural degradation of the fruit or vegetable that occurs at the last stage of maturation?
Senescence
What is the significance of the 15 mm lobe separation in ackee fruit?
It poses a little health hazard if the seed and membrane are removed
Which of the following maturity indices is associated with the release of volatile chemicals?
Aroma
What is the purpose of removing the seed and membrane portions of ackee fruit?
To reduce the health hazard associated with the fruit
What is the purpose of fruit opening in determining harvest maturity?
To determine the aroma of the fruit
Which of the following is NOT a maturity index for fruits and vegetables?
Caliper measurement
What is the significance of the caliper measurement in bananas?
Determining the harvest maturity of the fruit
What is the problem in marketing fully mature ackee tree fruit?
It has a very short post-harvest life
What is the role of volatile chemicals in fruits?
They give the fruit its characteristic odor
What is the significance of the analysis of hypo glycine in ackee tree fruit?
It reveals the levels of toxicity in the fruit
What happens to ackee tree fruit when it is fully mature?
It splits, revealing black seeds on yellow arils
Why is the sense of smell limited in determining the ripeness of fruits?
Because it is only detectable when the fruit is completely ripe
Study Notes
Harvest Maturity
- Unopened or partially opened ackee fruit should not be consumed, whereas fruit that opens naturally to over 15 mm of lobe separation poses a little health hazard, provided the seed and membrane portions are removed.
- Bright red, full-sized ackee should never be forced open for human consumption.
Leaf Changes
- Leaf quality often determines when fruits and vegetables should be harvested.
- In root crops, the condition of the leaves can indicate the condition of the crop below ground.
- For example, potatoes should be harvested soon after the leaves and stems have died to ensure optimal storage.
Abscission
- An abscission layer is formed in the pedicel as part of the natural development of a fruit.
- Harvesting before the abscission layer is fully developed results in inferior flavored fruit, such as in cantaloupe melons.
Firmness
- Some fruit may change in texture during maturation, especially during ripening when it may become rapidly softer.
- Excessive loss of moisture may also affect the texture of crops.
- Texture analyzers and pressure testers, such as penetrometers and texturometers, can measure firmness in fruits and vegetables.
Maturity Indices
- Skin color can be used to determine harvest maturity, such as in bananas and tomatoes.
- Optical methods, such as shape and size, can also be used to determine harvest maturity.
- Aroma can be used to determine harvest maturity, as most fruits synthesize volatile chemicals as they ripen.
- Fruit opening, such as in ackee fruit, can indicate harvest maturity.
- Leaf changes, such as in potatoes, can also indicate harvest maturity.
- Abscission, such as in cantaloupe melons, can be used to determine harvest maturity.
- Firmness, such as in fruits and vegetables, can be used to determine harvest maturity.
Other Factors
- Harvest maturity can affect the post-harvest life of fruits and vegetables, such as in ackee fruit.
- The caliper grade, which measures the width of individual fingers, can be used to determine harvest maturity in bananas.
- Sweet corn and baby corn are examples of fruits that are harvested at different maturity stages.
Identify fruits and vegetables according to their maturity indices. Learn about the devices used to measure texture and firmness in fruits and vegetables.
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