Changes in the peel colour were measured using a Minolta Chroma Meter (CR-300, Minolta Corp., Tokyo, Japan).
The colour profile was expressed as changes in the L value (lightness or dark-ness), a value (redness or greenness) and b value (yellowness or blueness) according to the HunterLab system.
Readings for each colour component (L, a and b) were the average of measurements taken at the stem end, mid region and blossom end of each fruit.