Prediction of the toughness of date palm fruit
Abstract This study aimed to predict the toughness of date palm fruit (Barhi, Saqie, and Khodry varieties) at different ripening stages (Khalal, Rutab, and Tamar) using Hertz Theory by evaluating the physical and mechanical characteristics of the fruits. Physical measurements revealed that high mois...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81881-2 |
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| author | Ahmed M. Hassan Mohamed M. Ibrahim Mohamed Ghonimy Maher Fathy |
| author_facet | Ahmed M. Hassan Mohamed M. Ibrahim Mohamed Ghonimy Maher Fathy |
| author_sort | Ahmed M. Hassan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study aimed to predict the toughness of date palm fruit (Barhi, Saqie, and Khodry varieties) at different ripening stages (Khalal, Rutab, and Tamar) using Hertz Theory by evaluating the physical and mechanical characteristics of the fruits. Physical measurements revealed that high moisture content in the Khalal stage led to larger dimensions and mass across all varieties, with Barhi dates showing a moisture content of 63.31%, which decreased to 32.60% at Rutab as the fruit dehydrated. This moisture reduction also impacted other characteristics, such as bulk density, volume, and flesh thickness, resulting in a concentrated, denser structure in the Tamar stage. Mechanical analysis demonstrated significant softening in all varieties as they transitioned from Khalal to Rutab stages, with Barhi dates’ modulus of elasticity dropping from 548.83 to 16.72 kPa. Similarly, bioyield and rupture stress decreased, highlighting the influence of moisture loss on textural characteristics. Saqie and Khodry varieties followed similar trends, with initial softening from Khalal to Rutab, and a slight firmness increase at Tamar due to dehydration. The force-deformation curves and toughness measurements confirmed these findings, showing significant reductions in toughness from Khalal to Rutab, with a slight increase in Tamar. These results underscore the pronounced textural and structural changes as dates ripen, influencing their suitability for different applications. Also, the measured toughness (τm) closely aligned with predicted toughness (τp), with significant textural differences observed across varieties and ripening stages. For all varieties, the τp is approximately 0.00–9.24% lower than the τm. Finally, the derived equation can be used with enough confidence to theoretically predict the toughness of date palm fruit. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-3eb3d56bd0a64f5a9e7ea7c990d4d1342025-01-12T12:18:44ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111210.1038/s41598-024-81881-2Prediction of the toughness of date palm fruitAhmed M. Hassan0Mohamed M. Ibrahim1Mohamed Ghonimy2Maher Fathy3Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo UniversityDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo UniversityDepartment of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Food, Qassim UniversityDepartment of Water Relations and Field Irrigation, Agricultural and Biological Research institute, National Research CentreAbstract This study aimed to predict the toughness of date palm fruit (Barhi, Saqie, and Khodry varieties) at different ripening stages (Khalal, Rutab, and Tamar) using Hertz Theory by evaluating the physical and mechanical characteristics of the fruits. Physical measurements revealed that high moisture content in the Khalal stage led to larger dimensions and mass across all varieties, with Barhi dates showing a moisture content of 63.31%, which decreased to 32.60% at Rutab as the fruit dehydrated. This moisture reduction also impacted other characteristics, such as bulk density, volume, and flesh thickness, resulting in a concentrated, denser structure in the Tamar stage. Mechanical analysis demonstrated significant softening in all varieties as they transitioned from Khalal to Rutab stages, with Barhi dates’ modulus of elasticity dropping from 548.83 to 16.72 kPa. Similarly, bioyield and rupture stress decreased, highlighting the influence of moisture loss on textural characteristics. Saqie and Khodry varieties followed similar trends, with initial softening from Khalal to Rutab, and a slight firmness increase at Tamar due to dehydration. The force-deformation curves and toughness measurements confirmed these findings, showing significant reductions in toughness from Khalal to Rutab, with a slight increase in Tamar. These results underscore the pronounced textural and structural changes as dates ripen, influencing their suitability for different applications. Also, the measured toughness (τm) closely aligned with predicted toughness (τp), with significant textural differences observed across varieties and ripening stages. For all varieties, the τp is approximately 0.00–9.24% lower than the τm. Finally, the derived equation can be used with enough confidence to theoretically predict the toughness of date palm fruit.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81881-2Date palmFruitPhysical and mechanicalModelingToughness |
| spellingShingle | Ahmed M. Hassan Mohamed M. Ibrahim Mohamed Ghonimy Maher Fathy Prediction of the toughness of date palm fruit Scientific Reports Date palm Fruit Physical and mechanical Modeling Toughness |
| title | Prediction of the toughness of date palm fruit |
| title_full | Prediction of the toughness of date palm fruit |
| title_fullStr | Prediction of the toughness of date palm fruit |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prediction of the toughness of date palm fruit |
| title_short | Prediction of the toughness of date palm fruit |
| title_sort | prediction of the toughness of date palm fruit |
| topic | Date palm Fruit Physical and mechanical Modeling Toughness |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81881-2 |
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