Apple Damage Assessment During Intrastate Transportation

Abstract

Tests were conducted to identify the typical magnitude of bruise damage incurred by packaged apples during transportation from the packinghouse to the distribution center and to the retail store. Three carton types were evaluated: bagmaster, foam cellmaster, and pulp traymaster. Initially bruise free apples were used to measure apple damage. An Instrumented Sphere (IS) was used to record the magnitude, duration, and time of dynamic impacts. Summaries of apple damage, impact results, and travel conditions are presented. This information will help define what affect intrastate transportation has on apple damage and the cumulative bruising from tree to consumer.