Effect of Loading Position and Storage Duration on the Mechanical Properties of Abate Fetel Pear Variety

Abstract

In the study, the mechanical properties of Abbate Fetel pear have been examined in terms of storage time and loadingposition. The experiments were conducted in two stages; the first experiment was carried out immediately after the harvest and the second experiment was carried out after 30 days in cold storage. The mechanic properties of the pear fruit such as rupture force, deformation, rupture energy and firmness have been examined on the fruit's bloom side, lateral side and stem side. Furthermore, the size, sphericity, mass, amount of soluble solids and volume of the pear fruit have been determined. The relationship between the sides of the fruit and firmness has been found as statistically significant (P<0.001). The maximum firmness value has been found at the stem side, while the lowest firmness value has been found at the bloom side. The lowest rupture energy value of the pear fruit has been determined to be needed at the bloom side.