Development of an objective freshness index for a variety of Mediterranean eggplant

Abstract

The objective of this work was to develop a non-subjective freshness index (If) for a Mediterranean variety of eggplant (Solanum melongena L. cv. Traviata). Eggplants were obtained from local agricultural sources and stored under controlled environment conditions. Storage temperature was und to have an effect on If, while the agricultural source and the degree of exposure to light did not affect If. Nonlinear functions modelled If against weight loss (WL), peel gloss loss (GL), surface stiffness loss (SL), density ratio minus one (DRMO), and storage period (in h). The best model for predicting If of eggplant was a function of SL (R2adj =0.98). Stepwise regression identified hyperspectral wavelengths that will predict If at 10°C (R2adj =0.46) and 27°C (R2adj =0.78). If can be used to estimate eggplant quality, therefore future work will develop freshness indices for other eggplant varieties stored under a range of temperature conditions.