Mechanical Properties of Japanese Pear “Nijisseiki” as Related to Susceptibility of the Fruit to Mechanical Injury

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to obtain the fundamental data for designing a suitable packaging system for Japanese Pear “Nijisseiki”. Measurements on mechanical properties of the fruits were made under quasi-static and impact compression tests as related to susceptibility of the fruit to mechanical injury. Especially the effect of harvesting date or maturity stage and storage practice on the mechanical properties were discussed in detail. In addition a new proposition was made to apply the Hertz's theory of elasticity for analyzing impact acceleration more accurately using dynamic modulus obtained from the impact compression test.