Mathematical analysis the effect of traffic bump shocking and layer position on the physical properties of Strawberry fruit (Fragaria x ananassa) during transportation

Abstract

Strawberry is known as a perishable fruit, it is very easy to be damaged as the effect of mechanical force, and this is one of the main problem in postharvest of this fruit. In Indonesia, it is often encountered a traffic bump across the road, this may create a shocking force that may affect the damage of the fruit during transportation. This research was intended to find out the effect of duration of shocking and layer position in the packing box on the physical properties of strawberry fruit. Application of shocking force was done using a special shocking apparatus to the strawberry samples inside wood package box which was arranged in three layers for a certain determined time. After shocking process the sample were then stored at room temperature and continuously monitored. It was found that both the duration of shocking and layer position in the box were significantly affect some of physical properties of the fruit, such as respiration rate, weight loss, brix content, firmness, and lightness of the fruit. The rate of change of physical properties of the fruit could be described appropriately using kinetics model of the zero or first order.