Abstract:
Information and knowledge
about the evolution of properties and quality
attributes, that are so important for
understanding post harvest behavior, is very
limited due to the use of completely
different frameworks in pre harvest and post
harvest quality analyses. This study was
conducted to determine firmness of two
variety of pomegranate that are cultivated in
Iran. The firmness was determined at top,
middle and bottom positions of fruit by an
Instron Universal Testing Machine with 5
mm, 6 mm and 8 mm diameter probes. The
mechanical properties of bottom section
were more than top and middle sections.
Rupture energy and firmness measured with
8 mm probe was found to decrease during
storage time. The mechanical properties of
two varieties were found approximately the
same. Effect of storage time and variety on
mechanical properties was found
insignificant (P < 0.05).