Mountain papaya fruits (Vasconcella pubescens) were tested for firmness with a nondestructive acoustic method for 14 days after harvest. The response of each fruit was analyzed with the Fourier transform to obtain a firmness index (FI) based on the second resonant frequency and with the Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) to obtain a spectrogram frequency centroid (FC) index. The indexes were p...

This study aimed at understanding softening in Jonagold apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.) fruits, by investigating pectin modifications and the evolution of pectin-modifying enzymes during postharvest storage and ripening. Jonagold apples were harvested at commercial maturity and stored at different temperatures and controlled atmosphere conditions for 6 months, followed by exposure to ambient she...

To compare the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture, massage, and Tachibana-Ryojutsu (one of Japanese traditional body balance therapy techniques (SEITAI)), on stiff shoulders, the subjects' muscle firmness, blood pressure, pulse, VAS, and body temperature were measured before and after the treatment. Forty-seven volunteer subjects gave written informed consent to participate in this study. The ...

The effect of storing cooked Bengal and Cypress milled rice at –13, 3, 20, and 36 °C on texture and degree of starch retrogradation was investigated. Cooked rice firmness increased, while stickiness decreased, during storage at –13 and 3 °C. Starch retrogradation, measured with a differential scanning calorimeter, was observed for both cultivars during storage at –13 and 3 °C, but not at 36 °C....

Firmness and physicochemical properties of 2 Chinese cherry (Prunus pseudocerasus L.) cultivars (soft cultivar "Caode" and crisp cultivar "Bende") at unripe and ripe stages were investigated, and the qualitative and quantitative information about sodium carbonate-soluble pectin (SSP) nanostructures was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The lengths and widths of the cherry SSPs are ve...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical, sensory properties and stability of a functional soy product with soy fiber and fermented with probiotic kefir culture. The product was characterized by the chemical composition, color and sensory analysis. The stability of the product was evaluated by pH, acidity, viscosity, firmness, syneresis measurements and cells counts. The functio...

This study aimed to determine physicochemical parameters for obtaining prediction equation in order to evaluate the postharvest quality of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.). A imaging system was used to measure L*a*b* color space. In tomatoes (variety Caiman) were evaluated weight loss, oBrix, pH, titrable acidity, firmness and oHue over 17 days of storage. The experimental results demonstrate...