TY - JOUR
T1 - Seasonal chemical-physical changes of PGI Pachino cherry tomatoes detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
AU - Ciampa, Alessandra
AU - Dell'Abate, Maria Teresa
AU - Masetti, Olimpia
AU - Valentini, Massimiliano
AU - Sequi, Paolo
PY - 2010/10/15
Y1 - 2010/10/15
N2 - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to study the variations of internal structure and chemical-physical characteristics of cherry tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Shiren), one the most economically valuable horticultural crops, in different harvesting seasons. In particular, the study focused on PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) Pachino cherry tomatoes, characterised by taste and nutritional value, notably in the winter production, amounting about 500 ton/year. Spin-spin and spin-lattice relaxation times, T2 and T1 respectively, determined on whole fruit, provided useful data highlighting variations among samples according to the season (winter, spring and summer). MRI images evidenced differences among cellular tissues such as pericarp and endocarp, through variations of: (1) T2 and T1 measures and water tumbling and diffusion motion, (2) thicknesses of different morphological zones, (3) qualitative characteristics of the tissue covering placental cavities where seeds are contained. Results of variance analysis (ANOVA) showed that physical parameters, as the transverse and longitudinal relaxation times, T2 and T1, measured in the morphological tissues of vegetables are excellent variables highlighting their differences in different seasons. This innovative non-destructive technique in food science has great potential in fruit quality assessment.
AB - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to study the variations of internal structure and chemical-physical characteristics of cherry tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Shiren), one the most economically valuable horticultural crops, in different harvesting seasons. In particular, the study focused on PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) Pachino cherry tomatoes, characterised by taste and nutritional value, notably in the winter production, amounting about 500 ton/year. Spin-spin and spin-lattice relaxation times, T2 and T1 respectively, determined on whole fruit, provided useful data highlighting variations among samples according to the season (winter, spring and summer). MRI images evidenced differences among cellular tissues such as pericarp and endocarp, through variations of: (1) T2 and T1 measures and water tumbling and diffusion motion, (2) thicknesses of different morphological zones, (3) qualitative characteristics of the tissue covering placental cavities where seeds are contained. Results of variance analysis (ANOVA) showed that physical parameters, as the transverse and longitudinal relaxation times, T2 and T1, measured in the morphological tissues of vegetables are excellent variables highlighting their differences in different seasons. This innovative non-destructive technique in food science has great potential in fruit quality assessment.
KW - Endocarp
KW - MRI
KW - PGI cherry tomatoes
KW - Pericarp
KW - Transverse and longitudinal relaxation times
KW - Water tumbling and diffusion motion
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U2 - 10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.03.078
DO - 10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.03.078
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:77951979254
SN - 0308-8146
VL - 122
SP - 1253
EP - 1260
JO - Food Chemistry
JF - Food Chemistry
IS - 4
ER -