Assessing Quality Parameters in Citrus cultivation: Demystifying the Loss of 'Ugly Fruit' in the Horticultural Selection Process
In the standardisation and packaging phase of the fruit and vegetable sector, the selection operation represents a significant critical point in the loss of foodstuffs. In its factories, the selection process begins at the packaging stage.
This involves the removal from the main flow line of units that present superficial defects (known as 'ugly fruit') despite meeting the minimum requirements of the marketing standard.
The Standard sets out the external quality conditions and their tolerances and includes factors that determine the minimum requirements to be met in order to guarantee the correct state of maturity and, therefore, organoleptic quality.
In the case of citrus fruits, three parameters are specified:
• minimum juice content;
• minimum sugar/acid ratio;
• colouring: typical colour of the variety.
The standard stipulates minimum values to be met by the fruit in order for it to be considered marketable, with these values varying depending on the type of citrus fruit in question. The following graph, the output of the cooperative of Pobla de Vallbona (Valencia, Spain) and the CACV, illustrates the outcomes of the regulatory quantitative analyses conducted on diverse citrus fruits, including oranges, clementines, and other mandarin varieties. The graph depicts the internal quality parameters that were subjected to special scrutiny. The three parameters were analysed for Class I fruits and compared with those obtained for fruits that have been withdrawn from the production line on the account of being deemed 'ugly fruit'.
It can be concluded that there is no justification, in terms of the quality parameters analysed, for the inclusion of 'ugly fruit' in the overall food loss of the fruit and vegetable plant.
TOWARDS A NEW ZERO FOOD WASTE MINDSET BASED ON HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT
Ongoing | 2022-2027
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Spain, Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Greece