Examining Committee
Dr. Massimo Marcone, Chair
Dr. Lisa Duizer, Advisor
Dr. Alexandra Grygorczyki, Co-Advisor
Dr. Loong-Tak Lim, Department Member

TITLE: INVESTIGATING THE USE OF INSTRUMENTAL TECHNIQUES TO EVALUATE APPLE TEXTURE QUALITY

ABSTRACT:
The objective of this study was to investigate the use of various instrumental techniques to evaluate various apple textures. As apple texture is a key driver in consumer preferences of apples, having a rapid tool to screen for desirable apple texture in breeding programs would be an important asset in the development of high-quality apples. However, due to the complexity of some apple textures attributes (e.g. crispness, juiciness, and mealiness), identifying instrumental measurements that produce consistent correlations with all of the key texture attributes has been a challenge. Instrumental measurements from various instruments such as the penetrometer, 5-blade Kramer shear, and various tribological instruments were used to correlate with sensory evaluation of texture attributes of apples. This study found various instrumental measurements that significantly correlated with apple texture perception, with the friction rig being the most appropriate instrument for use by the horticulture industry.