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Subcutaneous tissue discoloration in ware potatoes. 2. Impact measured by an instrumented sphere

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Summary

Potatoes are exposed to mechanical forces which can lead to subcutaneous tissue discoloration resulting in losses. We investigated the number and intensity of impacts in different phases of representative Dutch ware potato handling chains using an instrumented sphere (IS). Other questions we asked were, to which drop height onto a defined surface do measured impacts correspond, and what is the relation between the number of impacts and damage? Close relationships between peak acceleration and velocity change for different drop heights were found for various cushioning materials, thus allowing interpretation of impact measurements in terms of drops. The IS recorded c. 340 impacts exceeding 30g. The contribution to the total number of impacts was 11% for Harvest, 0% for Storage, 10% for Transport and 79% for Packaging. The number and intensity of impacts correlated well with the amount of subcutaneous tissue discoloration. It is concluded that the produce-friendliness of the handling chains can be improved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering (IMAG), P.O. Box 43, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    G. J. Molema, B. R. Verwijs, A. Bouman & J. J. Klooster

  2. Crop and Weed Ecology/Crop Physiology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Haarweg 333, 6709 RZ, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    P. C. Struik

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  1. G. J. Molema
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  2. P. C. Struik
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  3. B. R. Verwijs
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  4. A. Bouman
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  5. J. J. Klooster
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Molema, G.J., Struik, P.C., Verwijs, B.R. et al. Subcutaneous tissue discoloration in ware potatoes. 2. Impact measured by an instrumented sphere. Potato Res 43, 225–238 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02358082

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