Characterisation of Position‐Dependant Ripening Dynamics of Nectarines Using Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy and ASCA

• Published in: Journal of chemometrics 2024-09, Vol.38 (9), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Ezenarro, Jokin, Schorn‐García, Daniel, Palou, Anna, Mestres, Montserrat, Aceña, Laura, Abadias, Maribel, Aguiló‐Aguayo, Ingrid, Busto, Olga, Boqué, Ricard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acidity; ANOVA‐Simultaneous Component Analysis (ASCA); Data analysis; design of experiments (DoE); Fruits; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Near infrared radiation; Nutritive value; Organoleptic properties; peach (Prunus); Peaches; precision agriculture; Ripening; Spectroscopic analysis; Spectrum analysis; variability sources; Variance analysis
• ISSN: 0886-9383; 1099-128X
• DOI: 10.1002/cem.3576

ABSTRACT Nectarines, a popular pit fruit closely related to peaches, are renowned for their nutritional value and associated health benefits. However, challenges arise in maintaining optimal organoleptic properties during harvest and handling, eventually leading to production waste and heterogeneous quality in the fruit that arrives to the consumer. This study investigates the impact of nectarine position on trees during the whole ripening process using non‐destructive near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Nectarines exposed to more sunlight mature faster and this influences sugar content and acidity, emphasising the significance of considering height, prominence and orientation in ripening dynamics of the fruit. Different data unfolding strategies were compared, using ANOVA‐Simultaneous Component Analysis (ASCA) to reveal the significance of in‐tree position factors at different ripening stages, and observing high significance at harvest. This underscores the necessity for growers and handlers to consider these factors for reducing waste. NIR spectroscopy, with adequate data analysis, is a valuable tool for the holistic analysis of fruit ripening, providing crucial insights for maintaining optimal fruit organoleptic properties from harvest to consumer. This study explores how the position of nectarines on trees affects ripening, using near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Nectarines exposed to more sunlight mature faster, impacting sugar content and acidity. ANOVA‐Simultaneous Component Analysis (ASCA) revealed significant in‐tree position effects at harvest, highlighting the importance of height, prominence, and orientation on different stages of the ripening. The findings stress the need for growers to consider these factors to reduce waste, with NIR spectroscopy proving useful for ensuring optimal fruit quality.