The Experts below are selected from a list of 3912 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Eric Imbert - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • indicators december 2003 banana avocado orange grapefruit easy Peelers litchi
    Fruitrop (English ed.), 2004
    Co-Authors: Eric Imbert, Jessica Greniez, Pierre Gerbaud
    Abstract:

    Banana: The balance for December is the same as that for the year as a whole: bad. Supplies from the main origins were distinctly more abundant than in preceding years, especially at the end of the month. Furthermore, the usual slowing of demand for bananas in December seems to have been more marked than in other years, in particular in France where retail sales indicators were very poor for the fourth month running. Avocado: Results for December, a very important month economically for operators handling avocado, were more than mixed. As has been the case since the beginning of the season, supermarket chains remained focused on the variety Hass. However, as retail prices were not sufficiently attractive, promotion operations in weeks 51 and 52 were not as successful as expected, causing a fall in prices at the end of the month. For lack of demand, the market for green varieties remained extremely difficult. Orange: Supplied mainly with Naveline from Spain, the market behaved fairly well. The quantities marketed and prices were slightly up on the average for the last few years. Quality problems in a significant proportion of easy peeler supplies may have resulted in a transfer of demand to oranges. Easy Peelers: Performance was comparatively satisfactory although the market was difficult for certain categories of produce that had suffered from heavy rain in the preceding months. The average monthly price and the volumes sold were distinctly higher than average. Litchi: The litchi market was divided into two phases in December. During the first half of the month, the exports by air started in November continued from Mauritius, Reunion, South Africa and Madagascar. In mid-December, the first conventional vessel from Madagascar docked in Marseilles. Six ships were planned, carrying a total of 18 850 palettes, that is to say nearly 15 500 tonnes of fruit. This impressive quantity for marketing during the Christmas period was a record for the origin and exceeded the total amount shipped during the 2002/2003 season. (Resume d'auteur)

  • french market november 2003 indicators banana avocado orange grapefruit easy Peelers litchi
    Fruitrop (English ed.), 2004
    Co-Authors: Eric Imbert, Jessica Greniez, Pierre Gerbaud
    Abstract:

    Banana: Satisfactory average price conditions were achieved on the banana market in most EU countries after a catastrophic summer and a difficult beginning to the autumn. But this good performance should be viewed in relative terms. It is explained mainly by markedly insufficient supplies in all the countries of the community. The real driving force in France was export to countries in the north of the EU, while local trade indicators remained at an alarming level. Avocado: The average price was disappointing, with more supplies than last year but 20% less than average. This poor performance was caused by a particularly difficult market for green varieties. On the one hand, supplies were more plentiful than last year as the production of Spanish Bacon/Fuerte had returned to normal. On the other, the increasingly marked preference of the large supermarket chains for Hass had a very negative effect on sales. Orange: Performance was fairly satisfactory for Spanish operators-the only ones to be active in November, shipping Naveline and the very first Salustiana. It is true that the volumes sold were markedly down on preceding seasons. However, the decrease is counter-balanced by an increase in the average price, that peaked at a level rarely observed at this time of year. GrapeFruit: November marked the end of an exceptionally favourable six-month period. Unsurprisingly, demand was very slow during the second half of the month. In parallel, supplies returned to an average level with the true start of the Florida season at the beginning of the month. Prices were substantially readjusted, reaching a level close to the average of the preceding seasons. Easy Peelers: After a flamboyant start of the season, the easy peeler market changed completely in November. On the one hand, the quantities available increased considerably with the start of the Spanish Nules season, with large volumes, and the true start of the Corsican and Moroccan seasons. In addition, the appearance of serious problems of quality in a significant proportion of supplies (caused by heavy rainfall throughout the month in the main production zones) had a very negative impact on demand. Litchi: In contrast with last year, litchi production in the Indian Ocean is more normal although the weather conditions have not always been favourable. The start of the harvest in the various production areas is nonetheless a little late and the market is fairly sluggish. (Resume d'auteur)

  • french market january 2004 indicators banana avocado orange grapefruit easy Peelers litchi
    Fruitrop (English ed.), 2004
    Co-Authors: Eric Imbert, Jessica Greniez, Pierre Gerbaud
    Abstract:

    Banana: The year began badly. The volumes sold and the average price were 10% down on the average for recent years. This performance was made worse by the fact that January accounts for a large share of annual sales. The cause seems to have been extremely sluggish demand, especially in northern Europe, because of the cold weather in the second half of the month. Avocado: Market performance was poor again. Supplies of Hass were ample because of the quantities remaining unsold after December operations and distinctly outweighed the still disappointing demand. The market for green varieties continued to suffer from lack of interest by distributors. Orange: Performance was extremely satisfactory in comparison with both the average and the situation last year, especially as the market context was extremely difficult. Sales of Navel and Naveline from Spain were steady at a good level. The situation was more difficult for the variety Maltese, especially for small fruits, but the prices increased. Grapefruit: Performance was very poor for the second month running. Difficulties in selling Florida fruits strongly affected the market situation. On the one hand, the sales recovery only lasted for the period of promotion operations in the first half of the month. On the other hand, the large stocks of fruits available at the beginning of the month meant that supplies were comparatively ample in spite of slightly under-average arrivals. In this context, fruits of other origins found it difficult to establish a position. Easy Peelers: Although performance did not match the exceptional 2002/2003 season, the level was nonetheless good. A decrease in supplies resulting from an overall shortage of late varieties was more than compensated by a marked increase in the average price. Only Spain displayed a poorer performance with difficulties in selling certain clementine and Clemenvilla brands because of uneven quality and recurrent difficulty for Hernandina in gaining a foothold on the market. Litchi: The same situation as in December prevailed for litchi shipped by sea, with the market becoming increasingly difficult because of the large quantities released, uneven quality in the fruits received and dwindling demand. The small trade window for air-shipped litchis from Reunion soon closed because of the fall in quality of the goods. (Resume d'auteur)

  • indicators february 2004 french market banana avocado orange grapefruit easy Peelers litchi
    Fruitrop (English ed.), 2004
    Co-Authors: Eric Imbert, Jessica Greniez, Pierre Gerbaud
    Abstract:

    Banana: Performance was even worse than in January. The average price was down by 25 percent in France and by nearly 15 percent in Germany in comparison with average levels. Shipments from the main production zones had been small in January and then recovered to a point slightly above average. However, weak demand-a recurrent feature since the beginning of the year-once again seems to be the main cause of poor performance. Avocado: Supplies remained markedly short in both green varieties and medium grade Hass. As a result in spite of comparatively sluggish demand, prices remained comparatively firm and distinctly above the average for goods of this type in recent seasons. The situation remained fairly difficult for small fruits. Orange: Performance has been good. Releases and average price are considerably up on the preceding seasons. The increase in the range of varieties available following the strong increase in supplies of Navelate seems to have generated greater interest from the distribution sector. Grapefruit: After being very difficult in December and January, the market perked up in February. Arrivals were comparatively small, especially from Florida. Demand also proved fairly satisfactory during the first half of the month. As a result, the mean monthly price rose distinctly in comparison with that of January but nevertheless remained slightly lower than average. Easy Peelers: Performance was satisfactory. Prices remained at a very good level even though the shortage of supplies was much less marked than in January. Demand was healthy, probably as a result of better quality, as this had often been uneven in the preceding months because of rain at the end of 2003. Litchi: The litchi market was very difficult in February because of the uneven quality of fruits from Madagascar and dwindling demand from the retail chains and foreign markets, the main channels for litchi sales. In this context, South African supplies fetched better prices in spite of a gradual decrease in quality. (Resume d'auteur)

  • french market april 2004 indicators banana avocado orange grapefruit easy Peelers litchi mango
    Fruitrop (English ed.), 2004
    Co-Authors: Eric Imbert, Pierre Gerbaud
    Abstract:

    Banana: Market recovery continued. The average monthly price remained lower than average but the tremendous difference with preceding years observed in the first quarter diminished. Demand recovered after the usual Easter slump, with comparatively attractive retail prices, medium supplies and limited competition from the season's fruits. Avocado: The average price was quite firm in spite of comparatively plentiful supplies. However, this fairly satisfactory overall performance hides considerable differences between the varietal groups. Although the situation remained satisfactory for Hass, history seemed to repeat itself for Fuerte from Kenya. The excessively large shipments-in spite of the well known problem of the positioning of the variety with regard to supermarkets-sent the market for green varieties plunging to a historically low level. Orange: Market performance was excellent for the third month running. The volumes sold and average prices were distinctly higher than the average for the recent seasons. The recovery of interest in dessert oranges stimulated by Lanelate/Navelate from Spain lasted until the end of the season for the variety. Demand returned to an average level after the switch to Valencia Late in the last part of the month. The month's performance was patchy for Maroc Late. Grapefruit: The last part of the winter season did not match the optimistic forecasts made by most importers and analysts. Supplies of both Florida and Mediterranean fruits were much more plentiful than expected as many operators had speculated on a sharp rise in prices like that of April 2003. What actually happened was roughly the opposite. Although the balance remained satisfactory for Florida, the Mediterranean origins were unable to find the expected market outlet because of the prolonging of the Florida season. Easy Peelers: The end of the season held no surprises. Only medium grade Ortanique fetched decent prices as demand was limited and very selective. Supplies were plentiful in spite of a decrease in Moroccan production. Litchi: April this year was a period of transition from the end of the season in the Indian Ocean and the start of the Asian season. The last shipments from South Africa arrived in mid-March and were sold until the beginning of April, mainly in northern European countries. Mango West African season April is characterised by continuous, marked under-supply. The lengthening of the Peruvian season was not enough to make up for the shortage of produce resulting from the slow start to the export seasons in West African countries. Scarce supply resulted in substantial price increases until the end of the period. (Resume d'auteur)

A Nussinovitch - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • galactomannans in disturbances of structured wax hydrocolloid based coatings of citrus fruit easy Peelers
    Food Hydrocolloids, 2000
    Co-Authors: S Chen, A Nussinovitch
    Abstract:

    Abstract Locust bean gum (LBG) or guar gum, both typical viscosity formers, were introduced into traditional wax formulations of two easy-peeler citrus fruit cultivars: Nova and Michal. Their performance was analyzed and compared to inclusion of the non-gelling xanthan gum in a similar formulation. Both galactomannans reduced weight loss of the fruit during respiration in a manner similar to a wax-based coating without gum. As for ethanol and acetaldehyde buildup, the viscosity-forming formulations showed no disadvantage in comparison with a commercial coating. CO 2 accumulation with the xanthan coating was favored. Xanthan- and LBG-wax coatings produced the juice with the best taste quality. Inclusion of galactomannan in the formulation did not change the gloss of the coated easy-Peelers, even though xanthan is known to produce better gloss. LBG showed superior performance as an addition to coating relative to guar gum, as did xanthan. Its addition changed the structure of the wax coating to a more chaotic, less ordered structure, making it beneficial in terms of fruit respiration.

  • Galactomannans in disturbances of structured wax–hydrocolloid-based coatings of citrus fruit (easy-Peelers)
    Food Hydrocolloids, 2000
    Co-Authors: S Chen, A Nussinovitch
    Abstract:

    Abstract Locust bean gum (LBG) or guar gum, both typical viscosity formers, were introduced into traditional wax formulations of two easy-peeler citrus fruit cultivars: Nova and Michal. Their performance was analyzed and compared to inclusion of the non-gelling xanthan gum in a similar formulation. Both galactomannans reduced weight loss of the fruit during respiration in a manner similar to a wax-based coating without gum. As for ethanol and acetaldehyde buildup, the viscosity-forming formulations showed no disadvantage in comparison with a commercial coating. CO 2 accumulation with the xanthan coating was favored. Xanthan- and LBG-wax coatings produced the juice with the best taste quality. Inclusion of galactomannan in the formulation did not change the gloss of the coated easy-Peelers, even though xanthan is known to produce better gloss. LBG showed superior performance as an addition to coating relative to guar gum, as did xanthan. Its addition changed the structure of the wax coating to a more chaotic, less ordered structure, making it beneficial in terms of fruit respiration.

  • the role of xanthan gum in traditional coatings of easy Peelers
    Food Hydrocolloids, 2000
    Co-Authors: S Chen, A Nussinovitch
    Abstract:

    Abstract Xanthan gum was introduced into a traditional, wax-based coating formulation for easy Peelers. Xanthan was chosen because of its non-gelling nature and the fact that coatings based solely on this gum have the highest gloss relative to that of films produced with other non-gelling agents. Xanthan created disturbances in the ordered, regular structure of the traditional wax coating, as observed by electron microscopy. As a result of this imperfect coating, fruit respiration was less disturbed and less ethanol and acetaldehyde were detected by gas chromatography in the fruit as compared to fruits that were coated by the same method using a commercial formulation. In addition, less off-flavors were detected by sensory evaluation of juice extracted from the fruit coated with the wax–xanthan coating. Xanthan therefore seems to be a beneficial addition to traditional wax coatings, producing tastier fruits and juices.

Pierre Gerbaud - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • indicators december 2003 banana avocado orange grapefruit easy Peelers litchi
    Fruitrop (English ed.), 2004
    Co-Authors: Eric Imbert, Jessica Greniez, Pierre Gerbaud
    Abstract:

    Banana: The balance for December is the same as that for the year as a whole: bad. Supplies from the main origins were distinctly more abundant than in preceding years, especially at the end of the month. Furthermore, the usual slowing of demand for bananas in December seems to have been more marked than in other years, in particular in France where retail sales indicators were very poor for the fourth month running. Avocado: Results for December, a very important month economically for operators handling avocado, were more than mixed. As has been the case since the beginning of the season, supermarket chains remained focused on the variety Hass. However, as retail prices were not sufficiently attractive, promotion operations in weeks 51 and 52 were not as successful as expected, causing a fall in prices at the end of the month. For lack of demand, the market for green varieties remained extremely difficult. Orange: Supplied mainly with Naveline from Spain, the market behaved fairly well. The quantities marketed and prices were slightly up on the average for the last few years. Quality problems in a significant proportion of easy peeler supplies may have resulted in a transfer of demand to oranges. Easy Peelers: Performance was comparatively satisfactory although the market was difficult for certain categories of produce that had suffered from heavy rain in the preceding months. The average monthly price and the volumes sold were distinctly higher than average. Litchi: The litchi market was divided into two phases in December. During the first half of the month, the exports by air started in November continued from Mauritius, Reunion, South Africa and Madagascar. In mid-December, the first conventional vessel from Madagascar docked in Marseilles. Six ships were planned, carrying a total of 18 850 palettes, that is to say nearly 15 500 tonnes of fruit. This impressive quantity for marketing during the Christmas period was a record for the origin and exceeded the total amount shipped during the 2002/2003 season. (Resume d'auteur)

  • french market november 2003 indicators banana avocado orange grapefruit easy Peelers litchi
    Fruitrop (English ed.), 2004
    Co-Authors: Eric Imbert, Jessica Greniez, Pierre Gerbaud
    Abstract:

    Banana: Satisfactory average price conditions were achieved on the banana market in most EU countries after a catastrophic summer and a difficult beginning to the autumn. But this good performance should be viewed in relative terms. It is explained mainly by markedly insufficient supplies in all the countries of the community. The real driving force in France was export to countries in the north of the EU, while local trade indicators remained at an alarming level. Avocado: The average price was disappointing, with more supplies than last year but 20% less than average. This poor performance was caused by a particularly difficult market for green varieties. On the one hand, supplies were more plentiful than last year as the production of Spanish Bacon/Fuerte had returned to normal. On the other, the increasingly marked preference of the large supermarket chains for Hass had a very negative effect on sales. Orange: Performance was fairly satisfactory for Spanish operators-the only ones to be active in November, shipping Naveline and the very first Salustiana. It is true that the volumes sold were markedly down on preceding seasons. However, the decrease is counter-balanced by an increase in the average price, that peaked at a level rarely observed at this time of year. GrapeFruit: November marked the end of an exceptionally favourable six-month period. Unsurprisingly, demand was very slow during the second half of the month. In parallel, supplies returned to an average level with the true start of the Florida season at the beginning of the month. Prices were substantially readjusted, reaching a level close to the average of the preceding seasons. Easy Peelers: After a flamboyant start of the season, the easy peeler market changed completely in November. On the one hand, the quantities available increased considerably with the start of the Spanish Nules season, with large volumes, and the true start of the Corsican and Moroccan seasons. In addition, the appearance of serious problems of quality in a significant proportion of supplies (caused by heavy rainfall throughout the month in the main production zones) had a very negative impact on demand. Litchi: In contrast with last year, litchi production in the Indian Ocean is more normal although the weather conditions have not always been favourable. The start of the harvest in the various production areas is nonetheless a little late and the market is fairly sluggish. (Resume d'auteur)

  • french market january 2004 indicators banana avocado orange grapefruit easy Peelers litchi
    Fruitrop (English ed.), 2004
    Co-Authors: Eric Imbert, Jessica Greniez, Pierre Gerbaud
    Abstract:

    Banana: The year began badly. The volumes sold and the average price were 10% down on the average for recent years. This performance was made worse by the fact that January accounts for a large share of annual sales. The cause seems to have been extremely sluggish demand, especially in northern Europe, because of the cold weather in the second half of the month. Avocado: Market performance was poor again. Supplies of Hass were ample because of the quantities remaining unsold after December operations and distinctly outweighed the still disappointing demand. The market for green varieties continued to suffer from lack of interest by distributors. Orange: Performance was extremely satisfactory in comparison with both the average and the situation last year, especially as the market context was extremely difficult. Sales of Navel and Naveline from Spain were steady at a good level. The situation was more difficult for the variety Maltese, especially for small fruits, but the prices increased. Grapefruit: Performance was very poor for the second month running. Difficulties in selling Florida fruits strongly affected the market situation. On the one hand, the sales recovery only lasted for the period of promotion operations in the first half of the month. On the other hand, the large stocks of fruits available at the beginning of the month meant that supplies were comparatively ample in spite of slightly under-average arrivals. In this context, fruits of other origins found it difficult to establish a position. Easy Peelers: Although performance did not match the exceptional 2002/2003 season, the level was nonetheless good. A decrease in supplies resulting from an overall shortage of late varieties was more than compensated by a marked increase in the average price. Only Spain displayed a poorer performance with difficulties in selling certain clementine and Clemenvilla brands because of uneven quality and recurrent difficulty for Hernandina in gaining a foothold on the market. Litchi: The same situation as in December prevailed for litchi shipped by sea, with the market becoming increasingly difficult because of the large quantities released, uneven quality in the fruits received and dwindling demand. The small trade window for air-shipped litchis from Reunion soon closed because of the fall in quality of the goods. (Resume d'auteur)

  • indicators february 2004 french market banana avocado orange grapefruit easy Peelers litchi
    Fruitrop (English ed.), 2004
    Co-Authors: Eric Imbert, Jessica Greniez, Pierre Gerbaud
    Abstract:

    Banana: Performance was even worse than in January. The average price was down by 25 percent in France and by nearly 15 percent in Germany in comparison with average levels. Shipments from the main production zones had been small in January and then recovered to a point slightly above average. However, weak demand-a recurrent feature since the beginning of the year-once again seems to be the main cause of poor performance. Avocado: Supplies remained markedly short in both green varieties and medium grade Hass. As a result in spite of comparatively sluggish demand, prices remained comparatively firm and distinctly above the average for goods of this type in recent seasons. The situation remained fairly difficult for small fruits. Orange: Performance has been good. Releases and average price are considerably up on the preceding seasons. The increase in the range of varieties available following the strong increase in supplies of Navelate seems to have generated greater interest from the distribution sector. Grapefruit: After being very difficult in December and January, the market perked up in February. Arrivals were comparatively small, especially from Florida. Demand also proved fairly satisfactory during the first half of the month. As a result, the mean monthly price rose distinctly in comparison with that of January but nevertheless remained slightly lower than average. Easy Peelers: Performance was satisfactory. Prices remained at a very good level even though the shortage of supplies was much less marked than in January. Demand was healthy, probably as a result of better quality, as this had often been uneven in the preceding months because of rain at the end of 2003. Litchi: The litchi market was very difficult in February because of the uneven quality of fruits from Madagascar and dwindling demand from the retail chains and foreign markets, the main channels for litchi sales. In this context, South African supplies fetched better prices in spite of a gradual decrease in quality. (Resume d'auteur)

  • french market april 2004 indicators banana avocado orange grapefruit easy Peelers litchi mango
    Fruitrop (English ed.), 2004
    Co-Authors: Eric Imbert, Pierre Gerbaud
    Abstract:

    Banana: Market recovery continued. The average monthly price remained lower than average but the tremendous difference with preceding years observed in the first quarter diminished. Demand recovered after the usual Easter slump, with comparatively attractive retail prices, medium supplies and limited competition from the season's fruits. Avocado: The average price was quite firm in spite of comparatively plentiful supplies. However, this fairly satisfactory overall performance hides considerable differences between the varietal groups. Although the situation remained satisfactory for Hass, history seemed to repeat itself for Fuerte from Kenya. The excessively large shipments-in spite of the well known problem of the positioning of the variety with regard to supermarkets-sent the market for green varieties plunging to a historically low level. Orange: Market performance was excellent for the third month running. The volumes sold and average prices were distinctly higher than the average for the recent seasons. The recovery of interest in dessert oranges stimulated by Lanelate/Navelate from Spain lasted until the end of the season for the variety. Demand returned to an average level after the switch to Valencia Late in the last part of the month. The month's performance was patchy for Maroc Late. Grapefruit: The last part of the winter season did not match the optimistic forecasts made by most importers and analysts. Supplies of both Florida and Mediterranean fruits were much more plentiful than expected as many operators had speculated on a sharp rise in prices like that of April 2003. What actually happened was roughly the opposite. Although the balance remained satisfactory for Florida, the Mediterranean origins were unable to find the expected market outlet because of the prolonging of the Florida season. Easy Peelers: The end of the season held no surprises. Only medium grade Ortanique fetched decent prices as demand was limited and very selective. Supplies were plentiful in spite of a decrease in Moroccan production. Litchi: April this year was a period of transition from the end of the season in the Indian Ocean and the start of the Asian season. The last shipments from South Africa arrived in mid-March and were sold until the beginning of April, mainly in northern European countries. Mango West African season April is characterised by continuous, marked under-supply. The lengthening of the Peruvian season was not enough to make up for the shortage of produce resulting from the slow start to the export seasons in West African countries. Scarce supply resulted in substantial price increases until the end of the period. (Resume d'auteur)

S Chen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • galactomannans in disturbances of structured wax hydrocolloid based coatings of citrus fruit easy Peelers
    Food Hydrocolloids, 2000
    Co-Authors: S Chen, A Nussinovitch
    Abstract:

    Abstract Locust bean gum (LBG) or guar gum, both typical viscosity formers, were introduced into traditional wax formulations of two easy-peeler citrus fruit cultivars: Nova and Michal. Their performance was analyzed and compared to inclusion of the non-gelling xanthan gum in a similar formulation. Both galactomannans reduced weight loss of the fruit during respiration in a manner similar to a wax-based coating without gum. As for ethanol and acetaldehyde buildup, the viscosity-forming formulations showed no disadvantage in comparison with a commercial coating. CO 2 accumulation with the xanthan coating was favored. Xanthan- and LBG-wax coatings produced the juice with the best taste quality. Inclusion of galactomannan in the formulation did not change the gloss of the coated easy-Peelers, even though xanthan is known to produce better gloss. LBG showed superior performance as an addition to coating relative to guar gum, as did xanthan. Its addition changed the structure of the wax coating to a more chaotic, less ordered structure, making it beneficial in terms of fruit respiration.

  • Galactomannans in disturbances of structured wax–hydrocolloid-based coatings of citrus fruit (easy-Peelers)
    Food Hydrocolloids, 2000
    Co-Authors: S Chen, A Nussinovitch
    Abstract:

    Abstract Locust bean gum (LBG) or guar gum, both typical viscosity formers, were introduced into traditional wax formulations of two easy-peeler citrus fruit cultivars: Nova and Michal. Their performance was analyzed and compared to inclusion of the non-gelling xanthan gum in a similar formulation. Both galactomannans reduced weight loss of the fruit during respiration in a manner similar to a wax-based coating without gum. As for ethanol and acetaldehyde buildup, the viscosity-forming formulations showed no disadvantage in comparison with a commercial coating. CO 2 accumulation with the xanthan coating was favored. Xanthan- and LBG-wax coatings produced the juice with the best taste quality. Inclusion of galactomannan in the formulation did not change the gloss of the coated easy-Peelers, even though xanthan is known to produce better gloss. LBG showed superior performance as an addition to coating relative to guar gum, as did xanthan. Its addition changed the structure of the wax coating to a more chaotic, less ordered structure, making it beneficial in terms of fruit respiration.

  • the role of xanthan gum in traditional coatings of easy Peelers
    Food Hydrocolloids, 2000
    Co-Authors: S Chen, A Nussinovitch
    Abstract:

    Abstract Xanthan gum was introduced into a traditional, wax-based coating formulation for easy Peelers. Xanthan was chosen because of its non-gelling nature and the fact that coatings based solely on this gum have the highest gloss relative to that of films produced with other non-gelling agents. Xanthan created disturbances in the ordered, regular structure of the traditional wax coating, as observed by electron microscopy. As a result of this imperfect coating, fruit respiration was less disturbed and less ethanol and acetaldehyde were detected by gas chromatography in the fruit as compared to fruits that were coated by the same method using a commercial formulation. In addition, less off-flavors were detected by sensory evaluation of juice extracted from the fruit coated with the wax–xanthan coating. Xanthan therefore seems to be a beneficial addition to traditional wax coatings, producing tastier fruits and juices.

Yoshiyuki Mitsuya - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Sensing precision of an optical three-axis tactile sensor for a robotic finger
    Proceedings - IEEE International Workshop on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, 2006
    Co-Authors: Masahiro Ohka, Jumpei Takata, Hiroaki Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki Mitsuya
    Abstract:

    We are developing an optical three-axis tactile sensor capable of acquiring normal and shearing force, with the aim of mounting it on a robotic finger. The tactile sensor is based on the principle of an optical waveguide-type tactile sensor, which is composed of an acrylic hemispherical dome, a light source, an array of rubber sensing elements, and a CCD camera. The sensing element of silicone rubber comprises one columnar feeler and eight conical feelers. The contact areas of the conical feelers, which maintain contact with the acrylic dome, detect the three-axis force applied to the tip of the sensing element. Normal and shearing forces are then calculated from integration and centroid displacement of the gray-scale value derived from the conical feeler's contacts. To evaluate the present tactile sensor, we have conducted a series of experiments using a y-z stage, a rotational stage, and a force gauge, and have found that although the relationship between the integrated gray-scale value and normal force depends on the sensor's latitude on the hemispherical surface, it is easy to modify the sensitivity according to the latitude, and that the centroid displacement of the gray-scale value is proportional to the shearing force. When we examined repeatability of the present tactile sensor with 1,000 load-unload cycles, the respective error of the normal and shearing forces was 2 and 5%

  • An experimental optical three-axis tactile sensor for micro-robots
    Robotica, 2005
    Co-Authors: Masahiro Ohka, Yoshiyuki Mitsuya, Isamu Higashioka, Hisanori Kabeshita
    Abstract:

    This paper describes a micro-optical three-axis tactile sensor capable of sensing not only normal force, but also shearing force. The normal force was detected from the integrated gray-scale values of bright pixels emitted from the contact area of conical feelers. The conical feelers were formed on a rubber sheet surface that maintains contact with an optical waveguide plate. The shearing force was detected from horizontal displacement of the conical feeler. In the experiments, a precise multi-axial loading machine was developed to measure sensing characteristics of the present sensor. Results show that the normal force was specified uniquely under combined force conditions and that the shearing force was specified by modifying the relationship between the shearing force and the horizontal displacement on the basis of normal force. We formulated a set of expressions to derive the normal force and the shearing force by taking into account this modification. Furthermore, calibration coefficients were identified for transforming the integration of gray-scale values into the normal force and for transforming the horizontal displacement into the shearing force. This result suggests that the expressions can estimate the normal force and the shearing force in wide-load regions.

  • Sensing characteristics of an optical three-axis tactile sensor mounted on a multi-fingered robotic hand
    2005 IEEE RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems IROS, 2005
    Co-Authors: Masahiro Ohka, Hiroaki Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki Mitsuya
    Abstract:

    To develop a new three-axis tactile sensor for mounting on multi-fingered robotic hands, in this work we optimize sensing elements on the basis of our previous works concerning optical three-axis tactile sensors with a flat sensing surface. The present tactile sensor is based on the principle of an optical waveguide-type tactile sensor, which is composed of an acrylic hemispherical dome, a light source, an array of rubber sensing elements, and a CCD camera. The sensing element of the present tactile sensor comprises one columnar feeler and eight conical feelers. The contact areas of the conical feelers, which maintain contact with the acrylic dome, detect the three-axis force applied to the tip of the sensing element. Normal and shearing forces are then calculated from integration and centroid displacement of the gray-scale value derived from the conical feeler's contacts. To evaluate the present tactile sensor, we have conducted a series of experiments using a y-z stage, a rotational stage and a force gauge, and have found that although the relationship between integrated gray-scale value and normal force depends on the latitude on the hemispherical surface, it is easy to modify the sensitivity according to the latitude, and that the centroid displacement of the gray-scale value is proportional to the shearing force. Finally, to verify the present tactile sensor, we performed a series of scanning tests using a robotic manipulator equipped with the present tactile sensor to have the manipulator scan surfaces of fine abrasive papers. Results show that the obtained shearing force increased with an increase in the particle diameter of aluminium dioxide contained in the abrasive paper, and decreased with an increase in the scanning velocity of the manipulator over the abrasive paper. Because these results are consistent with tribology, we conclude that the present tactile sensor has sufficient dynamic sensing capability to detect normal and shearing forces.

  • Sensing characteristics of an optical three-axis tactile sensor under combined loading
    Robotica, 2004
    Co-Authors: Masahiro Ohka, Yoshiyuki Mitsuya, Yasuaki Matsunaga, Shuichi Takeuchi
    Abstract:

    To develop a new three-axis tactile sensor for mounting on multi-fingered robotic hands, in this work we optimize sensing elements on the basis of our previous works concerning optical three-axis tactile sensors with a flat sensing surface. The present tactile sensor is based on the principle of an optical waveguide-type tactile sensor, which is composed of an acrylic hemispherical dome, a light source, an array of rubber sensing elements, and a CCD camera. The sensing element of the present tactile sensor comprises one columnar feeler and eight conical feelers. The contact areas of the conical feelers, which maintain contact with the acrylic dome, detect the three-axis force applied to the tip of the sensing element. Normal and shearing forces are then calculated from integration and centroid displacement of the gray-scale value derived from the conical feeler's contacts. To evaluate the present tactile sensor, we have conducted a series of experiments using a y-z stage, a rotational stage and a force gauge, and have found that although the relationship between integrated gray-scale value and normal force depends on the latitude on the hemispherical surface, it is easy to modify the sensitivity according to the latitude, and that the centroid displacement of the gray-scale value is proportional to the shearing force. Finally, to verify the present tactile sensor, we performed a series of scanning tests using a robotic manipulator equipped with the present tactile sensor to have the manipulator scan surfaces of fine abrasive papers. Results show that the obtained shearing force increased with an increase in the particle diameter of aluminium dioxide contained in the abrasive paper, and decreased with an increase in the scanning velocity of the manipulator over the abrasive paper. Because these results are consistent with tribology, we conclude that the present tactile sensor has sufficient dynamic sensing capability to detect normal and shearing forces.