2.3.4. Texture
Texture was evaluated by two different assays using an INSTRON texture analyser (Model 2519-101, INSTRON, USA) with a 10 N load cell. For bending tests, bell pepper strips (5 cm × 1 cm and 4 mm thick) were horizontally held (1 cm from each end). A probe with circular flat tip (6 mm diameter) was used to displace the middle of the strips at a speed of 7.5 mm s−1 and the force required for bending (15 mm) was determined. The resistance to deformation was calculated as the slope of the force/time curves. Results were expressed in N s−1. Puncture tests were performed on the inner side of the pepper strips by compressing the fruit tissue 2 mm in the middle of the strip, at a rate of 2 mm s−1 with a 1 mm diameter probe and recording the maximum force developed during the test. Results were expressed in Newton (N). For both assays thirty pepper strips were randomly selected from each jar and evaluated for each gas treatment, ripening stage and storage time.