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Measuring Instruments/ |
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Penetrometers |
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Penetrometers come in a carrying case which includes several different penetration points for different types of fruit. This means that only one device is required to measure a wide range of fruit types. |
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It's convenient to establish a protocol of your own
samples, valid for each year of a crop. An example
of samples would be as follows: |
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If you wish to view or
print a selection of penetrometers from our
catalogue, click the PDF symbol |
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from 10 - 15 days
before the usual start time of harvest season each
year, a sample of 10 - 15 fruits should be taken
every 3 - 4 days to represent the entire crop, taken
at random across the entire plot. It's important
that the fruit taken should be uniform in size
representing the average size as the fruit's
hardness will vary with the size of fruit (take into
account that the bigger the fruit, the softer it
will be). It is also important that the fruit chosen
is completely sound, and does n
ot
have any problems such as damage, rotting or
infestations that might alter the normal maturity
process that will occur to the rest of the crop. The
same type of sample can be effective in testing
fruit being transported or in storage. Climacteric
fruit is that which is capable of continuing to
mature after being harvested, therefore if it must
be stored for a long period of time or transported
over great distances, it is recommended that the
fruit is harvested early and tested with penetrometers to determine if it has
reached its physiological maturity on the tree. This
maturity is fundamentally due to this type of fruit,
when it is not on the plant, increasing its
respiration rate and its production of ethylene, the
main hormone responsible for the maturing process
and fermentation of the fruit. Of course, non-climacteric
fruit stops maturing once it is separated from the
plant. It is primarily for this reason that ethylene
is frequently used artificial treatment to change
the maturing process of many types of fruits that
are conserved in cold storage areas. This
link has more information about fruit to allow
for accurate measurements with this device. Next,
this link, shows some tables and equivalence graphics
between hardness indicated by penetrometers in their
measurements (g) and the pressure really exerted (Kg./cm2),
according to the penetration point used. According
to DIn standards, the tables are organized by the
function of the recommended ranges for each type of
fruit. To take a penetration measurement there are
different types of penetration points available to
use and a suitable range for each type of fruit. For
fruits such as grapes and cherries, the
6mm diameter point is required, to work in a
range of 0 - 1kg, for fruits such as to fruits like
the
plums, lemons and other medium hard fruit, the
6mm diameter point or the
8mm diameter point can be used to work in a
range of 0 - 5kg. For apples, pears peaches or kiwis,
the 8mm diameter point or the
11.3mm diameter point is needed to work in a
range of
0 - 13kg, and for very hard fruit the
11.3mm diameter point, will be required to work
in a range of 0 - 20kg.
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You are currently at: Home / measuring instruments and test equipment / penetrometers |
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If you have any doubt, call our technicians on: +49 (0)29 03 976 99-52 Germany. +39 0583 975 114 Italy. +34 967 543 548 Spain. |
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