MATURITY AND QUALITY OF APPLE FRUIT DURINIG THE HARVEST PERIOD AT APPLE INDUSTRY

ABSTRACT A database of maturity and quality indices was built by analysis of 62,807 samples of 100 ‘Gala’ apples and 29,053 samples of 100 ‘Fuji’ apples at harvest, over 11 years (2005-2015) in an apple industry warehouse. Apple fruit were harvested in Fraiburgo (SC), São Joaquim (SC) and Vacaria (RS). Data on firmness, starch index (SI), soluble solid content (SS), titratable acidity (TA), size and grades (external appearance) of apple fruit were submitted to linear and nonlinear regression analyses. Each fruit was graded by analysis of external qualities (color and surface blemishes) following Brazilian legal standards. At apples industry, the harvest period extended from 3rd to 15th week of the year for ‘Gala’ and from 10th to 22nd week of the year for ‘Fuji’ apples, although approximately 70% of total production for ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apples was harvested in a period of 4 and 6 weeks, respectively. Average maturity of 11 years varied from the 1st to the last week of harvest as follows: ‘Gala’ apples: 17.9 to 14.2 pounds (firmness), 4.0 to 6.1 (SI), 12.2 to 13.1% (SS) and 5.7 to 3.9 meq 100 mL-1 (TA). ‘Fuji’ apples: 17.1 to 14.3 pounds (firmness), 3.9 to 6.4 (SI), 12.9 to 14.4% (SS), 6.2 to 3.8 meq 100 mL-1 (TA). Approximately 48% of ‘Gala’ samples and 45% of ‘Fuji’ samples had firmness higher than 17 and 16 pounds, respectively, intended for long term storage, while 6% of ‘Gala’ samples and 8.5% of ‘Fuji’ samples had firmness lower than 14 pounds, intended for marketing shortly after harvest. The frequency of apple samples graded as Extra, Cat1, Cat2, Cat3 and out of category were 6%, 32%, 34% and 6% for ‘Gala’ apples and 5%, 39%, 33%, 18%, 5% for ‘Fuji’ apples.

摘要：本研究通过对2005至2015年共11年间某苹果产业仓库中采收的100粒‘嘎啦’（Gala）苹果的62807份样本，以及100粒‘富士’（Fuji）苹果的29053份样本进行分析，构建了一套苹果成熟度与品质指标数据库。苹果果实采收自巴西弗赖布尔古（Fraiburgo, SC）、圣若阿金（São Joaquim, SC）与瓦卡里亚（Vacaria, RS）三地。针对苹果果实的硬度、淀粉指数（starch index, SI）、可溶性固形物含量（soluble solid content, SS）、可滴定酸度（titratable acidity, TA）、果径以及分级（外在外观）相关数据，开展了线性与非线性回归分析。所有苹果果实均依据巴西法定标准，通过分析其外观品质（色泽与表面瑕疵）完成分级。在该苹果产业场景中，‘嘎啦’苹果的采收期为每年第3周至第15周，‘富士’苹果则为每年第10周至第22周；但两类苹果约70%的总产量分别集中在4周和6周的采收窗口期内完成采收。11年间的平均成熟度指标随采收周次变化如下：‘嘎啦’苹果硬度为17.9至14.2磅，淀粉指数为4.0至6.1，可溶性固形物含量为12.2%至13.1%，可滴定酸度为5.7至3.9毫当量每100毫升（meq 100 mL⁻¹）；‘富士’苹果硬度为17.1至14.3磅，淀粉指数为3.9至6.4，可溶性固形物含量为12.9%至14.4%，可滴定酸度为6.2至3.8毫当量每100毫升。约48%的‘嘎啦’苹果样本与45%的‘富士’苹果样本硬度分别高于17磅和16磅，这类样本适用于长期贮藏；另有6%的‘嘎啦’样本与8.5%的‘富士’样本硬度低于14磅，适合采收后短期上市销售。‘嘎啦’苹果中被评为Extra级、Cat1级、Cat2级、Cat3级以及不合格级的样本占比分别为6%、32%、34%以及6%；‘富士’苹果的对应占比则为5%、39%、33%、18%与5%。