Factors influencing lesion formation due to impact damages in ´Gala Brookfield` and ´Fuji Suprema´ apples

Abstract

Apple bruising due to mechanical damage is of main importance for being responsible for considerable losses that alter the external appearance of the fruit hammering its commercial value. Understanding the factors that affect the formation of bruising is important to attempt to minimize the effects of mechanical damages. The objective of the present work was to identify factors that influence the mechanical damage formation produced by impact in two apple cultivars. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of fruit size and mass, hydration degree and pulp temperature on the development of fruit bruises. The apples were dropped from a height of 80 cm onto a rigid surface. Bruise diameter and depth were accessed after one week at room temperature. The factors that influence bruise formation are the size and the mass the apples as well as hydration degree of fruit tissues. Greater fruit size and mass result in larger bruise sizes. Highly hydrated tissues at the impact moment also increase the bruise size.