Water loss in table grapes: model development and validation under dynamic storage conditions

Abstract Water loss is a critical problem affecting the quality of table grapes. Temperature and relative humidity (RH) are essential in this process. Although mathematical modelling can be applied to measure constant temperature and RH impacts, it is proved that variations in storage conditions are normally encountered in the cold chain. This study proposed a methodology to develop a weight loss model for table grapes and validate its predictions in non-constant conditions of a domestic refrigerator. Grapes were maintained under controlled conditions and the weight loss was measured to calibrate the model. The model described the water loss process adequately and the validation tests confirmed its predictive ability. Delayed cooling tests showed that estimated transpiration rates in subsequent continuous temperature treatment was not significantly influenced by prior exposure conditions, suggesting that this model may be useful to estimate the weight loss consequences of interruptions in the cold chain.

摘要
水分流失是影响鲜食葡萄品质的关键问题。温度与相对湿度（Relative Humidity，RH）在该过程中起到至关重要的作用。尽管可通过数学建模（mathematical modelling）评估恒温与相对湿度对葡萄失水的影响，但已有研究证实，冷链（cold chain）储运过程中通常会出现储运条件的波动。本研究提出了一种鲜食葡萄水分流失模型的构建方法，并在家用冰箱的非恒定环境条件下验证了该模型的预测性能。研究通过将葡萄置于可控环境中并监测其水分流失量，完成了模型的校准。该模型能够较好地拟合水分流失过程，验证试验也证实了其预测能力。延迟冷却试验结果表明，后续连续温度处理过程中的估算蒸腾速率不受前期暴露条件的显著影响，这意味着该模型可用于估算冷链中断所导致的葡萄水分流失后果。