Fruits
Fruits are the most important plant foods that supply man with many of his nutrient requirements, including minerals, vitamins, proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The maturity stage of harvesting of fruits vary depending on the expected end use; direct consumption or post harvest processing. Identification of the maturity stage of fruits in a consistent and repeatable manner is a very difficult and time-consuming task. There are so many organoleptic properties such as colour, aroma, off odor, sweetness and taste that vary with the maturity stage. Chemical properties such as total soluble solid content, sugar content, acid content, starch content, ethylene and CO2 content also change with stage of fruit maturity, cultivars and environment condition.
Fruit Maturity
Maturity can be defined as the stage of development at which the fruit, after detachment from the tree, will ripen and result in a product desirable for eating.
Determination of Fruit Maturity and Quality
Maturity and quality are the most important parameters in the fruit industry. Some factors that are directly affected by quality and maturity are consumer appeal, handling practices, Storage potential, Market selection and end use. Therefore, proper maturity or quality evaluation of fruit and vegetables are very impotent. Many different methods can be used for maturity or quality
evaluation.
