Performance evaluation of divergent sizing cylinders equipment in several configurations for "Carmen" tomatoes / Avaliação do desempenho de classificadora de cilindros divergentes em varias configurações para toma "Carmen"

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

Size standards guarantee the same classification for producers, wholesalers and consumers, facilitating trade, enhancing products value and reducing losses. The main goal of this work was to evaluate a grading system of fresh tomatoes by rotating divergent cylinders. The evaluated cylinders were: cylinder with bristles of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET); smooth cylinder of PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) tube; and PVC cylinder with helical rubber (height of 0.01 m and step of 0.10 m). First, it was defined the range openings of each grading, varying treatments (two cylinders with bristles - CC; bristles cylinder and a smooth cylinder - CL; and smooth cylinder and cylinder with a helical - LH) and speed rotation (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 rpm). After, the sorting system was assessed. In a second step, it was evaluated mechanical damage incidence in Carmen cultivar tomatoes, subject to treatments in two speeds with better sorting efficiency. In a third step it was tested cleaning effectiveness on tomatoes submitted to two cylinders with bristles (CC) and bristles cylinder and a smooth cylinder (CL), at the two best sorting efficiency speeds. Tomatoes graded with divergent cylinders presented accordance with standards allowed mixture for grade 60, at treatments CC (200 rpm), CL (50 and 100 rpm), LH (100 and 150 rpm) and for grade 80 for treatments CC (50, 150 and 250 rpm), CL (100 and 250 rpm), LH (50, 100, 150 and 250 rpm). In all these treatments classes mixture was only just above and/or less at the same batch, in accordance with the Brazilian grading standard for tomatoes. However, for grade 70 there was no treatment in accordance for a grade tolerance allowing 10% fruit out-of-size. The greatest sorting efficiencies were obtained at LH treatment, at 150, 200 and 250 rpm, with values ranging from 74 to 80%. The highest weight loss was at LC 50 rpm treatment, due to the tomato spin around the equatorial axis, which caused more abrasion on the fruit skin. The respiratory activity of the fruits in all treatments was similar to the fruit no grading, after 4 hours of classification. Effectiveness in cleaning process was higher for CC treatment, with cleanliness index of 33 and 38% for 50 to 100 rpm, respectively. The diverging cylinders could be used for classification of tomatoes; however, adjustments are necessary to grade the class 70 fruits. The best tomatoes classification was for LH 150 rpm treatment, which had the highest efficiency, without changing the fruit quality. To achieve the cleaning and classification stage together, could employ cylinders of bristles more appropriate for tomatoes.

ASSUNTO(S)

tomate - classificação postharvest tomate - qualidade size standard pós-colheita quality

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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