2.8. Texture analysis
Texture was measured at 20 C using a Universal Instron testing
machine (series 442H1004, UK) with a 100 N load cell. Crosshead
speed was set at 60 mm/s and the penetration depth was 20 mm. A
single, whole, strawberry (height: 30 2 mm; width: 27 3 mm)
was placed on a flat platform and a sharpened 5 mm diameter cork
borer adapted to fit the Instron was used to cut through the
strawberry tissue from one side to another, penetrating to 80% of
the total fruit width (Fig. 3). The textural parameter measured on
the resulting force-distance curves was firmness and the mean
values of six replicates, expressed in N, were reported.