Page 56 - SA Fruit Journal VOLUME 14

phytonutrient quality. Cultivation practices such as fertilisation, season, soil fertility and irrigation have a profound effect on phyto- nutrient levels and profiles. Similarly, post- harvest factors such as packaging and pro- cessing techniques can affect phytonutrients and also impact the consumer’s willingness to pay more. We must critically evaluate the importance consumers place on these quality parameters and attributes to derive construc- tive policies for addressing future nutritional sustainability. In the USA, healthy dining finder http://www.healthydiningfinder.com/ is all the rage to find nutritional information for healthy dining. Visit http://postharvest. ucdavis.edu/ and http://postharvest.ucdavis. edu/Most_Useful_Postharvest_Websites/Perfect pears for the next generation of consumersturPinBlushed pears are being bred in Australia in order to address low consumption in pears. ANP-0131 branded Deliza is reported to be better than Packham’s Triumph, and con- sumer evaluations showed that it could be priced at AUD 3.50 versus AUD 2.90 forPackham’s Triumph. This variety can be stored for 10 months in controlled atmos- phere. ANP-0118 branded Lanya is a pear that ripens to a crisp texture on the tree. It was reported that 45% of Australians like crisp pears. Based on this preference, these consumers would marginally prefer the vari- ety over Bon Chretien.Increasing consumer demand for fresh stone fruit through market research in AustraliaHalEConsumers in the Melbourne area exhibited a preference for high acid peaches and low acid nectarines. Firmness was the driver for acceptance and purchase, and there was a strong preference for softer fruit.Stone fruit value chain: a system approach for improved consumer satisfactionStEFanElliThe supply chain for the Australian stone fruit industry is characterised by a series of op- erational problems that affect the entire sec- tor.The large number of stone fruit varieties makes it difficult to develop general protocols to manage fruit quality, which results in vari- able eating quality and consumer dissatisfac- tion. Also there is insufficient information flow in the value chain from grower to con- sumer. The Australian industry is developing a more integrated approach that allows better flow of information in the handling chain by use non-destructive sensor technologies such as the Index of Adsorbance Difference (IAD).This relatively new technology determines the physiological maturity of fruit enabling the ef- fect of each step in the supply chain on fruit maturity to be measured.Identifying elements of anideal peach experience:a consumer-centred approach OlMStEaDConsumer surveys conducted in Florida, USA showed the top four elements that con- sumers desired were 1) fruit that were sweet with good acid balance, 2) full of juice, 3) plump and round, and 4) freestone. Young consumers preferred firm peaches.Production of the high anthocyanin plum variety, Queen Garnet, as a new ingredient for the functional food marketBErECryThis dark-skinned red plum has been devel- oped by the Queensland Department of Ag- riculture. Apart from good flavour and high Brix, the plum has a high anthocyanin con- tent of 150 – 280 mg/100 g, which puts it in the same category as berries as far as antho- cyanin content is concerned. The anthocyanin content in other plums is usually less than 30 mg/100 g. The plums are processed into an- thocyanin and flavonol- rich juices, natural colourants, pulp, concentrates and powder for the functional food market. Production pro- cesses are geared to produce nutrient density and the highest anthocyanin content. Health properties of the plum are being investigated in animal and human trials.PrOF. karEn tHErOnsenior researcher from the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Stellenbosch University, had this to say:“It was definitely worth going, with ex- cellent presentations all-round. Some of the most important international role players were there and the interaction during tea time was stimulating and thought-provoking. One of the highlights was the session on abscission (a pro- cess by which a plant drops one or more of its parts) and related theories, was fascinating. The session on mechanisa- tion and robotics was a wake-up call for us, as to how far ahead the Aussies are in this field.TECHNOLOGY 53 FEB | MARCH 2015