ISHS Acta Horticulturae 244: IV International Symposium on Quality of Vegetables
MEASUREMENT OF VEGETABLE QUALITY - RESEARCH AND ITS APPLICATION |
| Authors: | P.W. Simon, D.A. Senalik |
| Abstract:
The ultimate measurer of vegetable quality is the consumer. Before raw or processed vegetables are consumed, they have been handled by plant breeders, growers, transporters, packagers, storehouse operators, distributors, and sometimes processors. To maintain high quality throughout this process and to predict the acceptability of the final product, it is possible to measure complex objective and sensory attributes of vegetable quality at each step in vegetable handling. Currently available quality evaluation methods can be utilized by plant breeders, growers, handlers, and processors to obtain information generally useful in maintaining and improving vegetable quality. Because quality factors are unique and complex for each commodity, these methods often are too expensive, difficult, or time-consuming to apply outside the research laboratory. Rapid changes in vegetables on their way to the consumer and the development of specialized consumer market further add to the difficulty of providing measurements of vegetable quality useful to the consumer. Several rapid methods to measure vegetable quality are available. These include near-infrared reflectance, fluorescence, and puncture/compression/shear tests which are useful in evaluating vegetable texture and color. Rapid objective methods to evaluate flavor and nutritional value have not been developed. The availability of rapid quality measurement techniques will provide a means for more extensive quality assessment of vegetables on their way to market and this will ultimately yield improved vegetable quality for the consumer. | |
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