2.6. Optimisation of US postharvest conditions
Optimal conditions for the postharvest US treatment on whole
tomato were obtained using the second-order polynomial models
of RSM. A series of conditions were generated and the selection
was based on maximum retention of colour and texture parameters
and increase of total phenolic content, in comparison with
untreated fruits.
In order to assess the effects of optimised US conditions on
tomato quality and storability, fruits subjected to identified optimal
conditions and fruits not subjected to any treatment (Ctr samples)
were also evaluated at 0, 8 and 15 storage days at 10 C, using
the same analytical protocol considered for the experimental