Hindawi Publishing CorporationISRN AgronomyVolume 2013, Article ID 891792, 4 pageshttp://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/891792

Research ArticleAnalysis of Some Technological and Physical Characters ofMandarin (Citrus reticulata) Fruit in Iran

Abdollah Khadivi-Khub

Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak University, Arak 38156-8-8349, Iran

Correspondence should be addressed to Abdollah Khadivi-Khub; akhadivi@ut.ac.ir, a-khadivi@araku.ac.ir

Received 9 March 2013; Accepted 9 April 2013

Academic Editors: S. Imhoff, Z. Yanqun, and M. Zhou

Copyright © 2013 Abdollah Khadivi-Khub. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons AttributionLicense, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properlycited.

Knowledge of the physical properties of date fruit is necessary for the design of postharvesting equipment such as cleaning, sorting,grading, kernel removing, and packing. Also, the physical and mechanical properties are incorporated in the development of thegrading machine as a case study. In this study, some physical and mechanical properties of three mandarin cultivars, as promisingfruits, were analyzed to help the design of handling machines. According to results, the greatest dimensional characteristics werefound for Page cultivar, whereasOnsho cultivar showed the lowest sphericity value (93%), and the highest sphericitywas observed inClementine cultivar (97%).The specific gravity of Page cultivar was 0/97, and this cultivar had the biggest fruit.Thus, it may be usedfor export.The volumemeasured was 1% higher than the calculated assumed shape of the spheroid (𝑉 = 4.19𝑎2𝑏). The relationshipbetween diameters andmass was linear, and the correlationwas high for all studied cultivars andmixed cultivar (combined all data).There was a linear relation between mass and volume of the mixed cultivar of mandarin with a high coefficient of determination.

1. Introduction

Citrus are the major horticultural crops in Iran so that thiscountry has a high annual production level of citrus fruitand was ranked the 15th producer in the world [1, 2]. Themandarin (Citrus reticulata) is a species of citrus fruit thatis an evergreen tree (like other trees of this family) andslow growing. Mandarin begins to bear fruit when it isaround three years old. Iranian mandarins are not exportedbecause of variability in size and shape and lack of properpackaging [3]. Consumers prefer fruits with equal weight anduniform shape. Mass grading of fruit can reduce packagingand transportation costs and also may provide an optimumpackaging configuration [4].

Fruit crops and food products have several uniquecharacteristics which set them different from engineeringmaterials. These properties determine the quality of thefruit, and identification of correlation among these propertiesmakes quality control easier [5]. To design a machine forhandling, cleaning, conveying, and storing, the physical,mechanical, and hydraulic properties of agricultural productsmust be known. Physical characteristics of fruit crops are

the most important parameters to determine the properstandards of design of grading, conveying, processing, andpackaging systems [6]. Among these physical characteristics,mass, volume, and projected area are themost important onesin determining sizing systems [7]. Information regardingdimensional attributes is used in describing fruit shape whichis often necessary in horticultural research for a range ofdiffering purposes including cultivar descriptions in appli-cations for plant cultivar rights or cultivar registers [8, 9].Quality differences inmandarin fruit can often be detected bydifferences in density. When mandarin fruits are transportedhydraulically, the design of fluid velocity is related to bothdensity and shape. Volumes and projected area of fruits mustbe known for accurate modeling of heat and mass transferduring cooling and drying [10]. Hydrodynamic propertiesare very important characters in hydraulic transport andhandling as well as hydraulic sorting of fruit crops. Toprovide basic data essential for development of equipment forsorting and sizing mandarin, it should be determine severalproperties of this fruit such as fruit density and terminalvelocity of that [11, 12]. Many studies have reported on thechemical, physical and mechanical properties of fruits, such

2 ISRN Agronomy

as wild plum [13], rose fruit [14] and sweet orange [7]. Also,chemical, and physical and mechanical properties of fruits inmandarinwere reported in several studies [15, 16], but limitedstudies concerning hydrodynamic, physiomechanical, andtechnological properties of Iranian mandarins have beenperformed. There are two main objectives for this study. Thefirst is to determine the hydrodynamic and physiomechanicalproperties of three mandarin cultivars in Iran (Clementine,Onsho, and Page).The second is to produce a convenient ref-erence table with hydrodynamical, physical, and mechanicalinformation suitable for fresh mandarin mechanization andprogressing.

2. Materials and Methods

Three mandarin cultivars in Iran consisted of Clementine,Onsho, and Page were used in this study. A total of 165 fruits(55 from each cultivar) were tested in the biophysical and bio-logical laboratories.Themandarinswere picked up at randomfrom their storage piles. Fruit mass (𝑀) was determined withan electronic balance with 0.01 g sensitivity. To determine theaverage size of the fruits, three linear dimensions, namely, aslength, width, and thickness, weremeasured by using a digitalcaliber with 0.1mm sensitivity. Volume (𝑉) was determinedby the water displacement method [17]. For this purpose, amandarin was submerged into a known volume of water, andthe volume of water displaced was measured. Water temper-ature was kept at 25∘C. Specific gravity of each mandarin wascalculated by the mass of mandarins in air divided by themass of displaced water. Three mutually perpendicular axes,𝑎 major, (the longest intercept), 𝑏 intermediate (the longestintercept normal to 𝑎), and 𝑐 minor, (the longest interceptnormal to 𝑎, 𝑏) of mandarin were measured byWin Area-Ut-06 meter (Figure 1) developed by Mirasheh [18]. Geometricmean diameter, GM, was determined from the cubic rootsof three diameters, (𝑎𝑏𝑐)1/3, and percentage sphericity wasequal to the geometric mean diameter divided by the longestdiameter multiplied by 100 as suggested by Mohsenin [17].The volume of mandarins was calculated assuming the shapeof a prolate spheroid, an oblate spheroid, and an ellipsoidapplying the following equations, respectively, 𝑉 = 0.52𝑎𝑏2,𝑉 = 0.52𝑎2𝑏, and 𝑉 = 4.19 (geometric mean diameter/2)3.An average projected area as a criterion for the sizingmachinewas proposed. Three mutually perpendicular areas, 𝑃𝑎, 𝑃𝑏,and𝑃𝑐weremeasured by a computer vision (diameter) Area-meter with high accuracy.

An average area projected (known as the criterion area,𝐴𝑐, cm2) was determined from

𝐴𝑐 =(𝑃𝑎 + 𝑃𝑏 + 𝑃𝑐)

3. (1)

Spreadsheet software, Microsoft Excel, 2010, was usedto analyse data and determine regression models betweenthe parameters. A typical linear multiple regression model isshown in

𝑌 = 𝑎 + 𝑏1𝑋1+ 𝑏2𝑋2+ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ + 𝑏

𝑛𝑋𝑛, (2)

Figure 1: WinArea-UT-06 system.

where 𝑌 is a dependent variable, for example, mass, 𝑀,or a criterion area, 𝐴𝑐, is volume, 𝑉,𝑋

1, 𝑋2, 𝑋3, . . . , 𝑋

𝑛-

independent variable, for example, physical dimensions(mm), or volume, 𝑉, (cm3), 𝑏

1, 𝑏2, . . . , 𝑏

𝑛-regression coeffi-

cients, 𝑎-constant of regression. For example, mass is relatedto volume and can be estimated as a function of the volumemeasured as shown in

𝑀 = 𝑎 + 𝑏1𝑉, (3)

where 𝑉 is the volume measured of mixed cultivars (com-bined all data) (cm3).

3. Result and Discussion

A summary of the physical, mechanical, and hydrodynamicproperties of Clementine, Onsho, and Page cultivars is showninTable 1. According to these results, the greatest dimensionalcharacteristics were found for Page cultivar with means of65.33, 64.15, and 56.33mm major, intermediate, and minor,respectively, whereas these values were 61.45, 60.32, and57.50mm and 60.90, 59.83, and 49.11mm for Clementine, andOnsho cultivars, respectively. Erodgan et al. [19] reportedthat determining dimensional characteristics are essential todesign a mechanism for mechanical harvesting.

An average of specific gravity of the Page cultivar was0.97 and higher than others. The shape of studied cultivarsis spheroid with a minimum probable error from the volumemeasured. Onsho cultivar showed the lowest sphericity value(93%) and the highest sphericity was observed in Clementinecultivar (97%). The specific gravity of Page cultivar was 0/97and this cultivar had the biggest fruit. Thus, it may be usedfor export. Sphericity of mixed cultivar (combined all data)was 95%, and average of diameter of two diameters 𝑎 and 𝑐was 1% less than the geometric mean diameter and with asimilar coefficient of variation (8%). The knowledge relatedto geometric mean diameter would be valuable in designingthe grading process [5]. The volume measured was 1% higherthan the calculated assumed shape of the spheroid (𝑉 =4.19𝑎2𝑏). Volume and mass of each cultivar and also the

mixed cultivar (combined all data) with three diameters wereanalyzed to determine the relationships between physical

ISRN Agronomy 3

Table 1: Some physical and engineering properties of mandarin fruit for studied cultivars.

Cultivar Physical properties Mean Max. Min. SD CV

Clementine

Major (mm) 61.45 73.70 54.20 4.07 6.62Intermediate (mm) 60.32 72.60 52.70 4.03 6.68

Minor (mm) 57.50 67.30 79.90 4.37 7.54Mass (g) 82.13 124.70 60.60 13.22 16.09

Volume (cc) 89.74 138.20 63.90 16.42 18.29Specific gravity (g/cm3) 0.92 0.96 0.86 0.03 3.06Geometric mean (mm) 59.72 70.07 52.48 3.92 6.57

Percent sphericity 97.00 98.00 94.00 0.02 1.74

Onsho

Major (mm) 60.90 72.60 53.40 4.03 6.62Intermediate (mm) 59.83 72.10 51.60 3.93 6.56

Minor (mm) 49.11 58.30 43.90 3.32 6.76Mass (g) 68.52 97.40 48.80 11.81 17.23

Volume (cc) 77.98 115.50 53.30 14.35 18.41Specific gravity (g/cm3) 0.88 0.95 0.82 0.03 3.36Geometric mean (mm) 56.33 64.91 49.57 3.42 6.07

Percent sphericity 93.00 96.00 88.00 0.02 1.95

Page

Major (mm) 65.33 74.30 53.90 4.31 6.59Intermediate (mm) 64.15 73.20 53.00 4.21 6.57

Minor (mm) 56.33 64.20 47.10 4.25 7.54Mass (g) 103.82 147.3 61.70 18.37 17.70

Volume (cc) 107.04 152.30 63.10 19.26 18.00Specific gravity (g/cm3) 0.97 1.01 0.93 0.01 1.36Geometric mean (mm) 61.80 69.62 51.88 4.11 6.65

Percent sphericity 95.00 99.00 89.00 0.02 1.68

Mixed cultivar (combined all data)

Major (mm) 62.56 74.30 53.40 4.56 7.30Intermediate (mm) 61.44 73.20 51.60 4.48 7.29

Minor (mm) 54.31 67.30 43.90 5.44 10.02Mass (g) 84.82 147.3 48.80 20.67 24.37

Volume (cc) 91.59 152.30 53.30 20.54 22.43Specific gravity (g/cm3) 0.92 1.01 0.82 0.04 4.80Geometric mean (mm) 59.28 70.07 49.57 4.43 7.47

Percent sphericity 95.00 99.00 88.00 0.03 2.69Ave. diameter (𝑎 + 𝑐)/2 58.44 69.00 48.80 4.55 7.78

Table 2: Relationship between volume and mass with three diameters in studied cultivars of mandarin.

Volume MassIn𝑉 = 𝑘

1In 𝑎 + 𝑘

2In 𝑏 + 𝐾

3In 𝑐 + 𝑘

4𝑀 = 𝐾

1𝑎 + 𝑘2𝑏 + 𝑘3𝑐 + 𝑘4

Coefficient cultivar 𝑘1

𝑘2

𝑘3

𝑘4

𝑅2

𝑘1

𝑘2

𝑘3

𝑘4

𝑅2

Clementine 0.93 1.20 0.60 −6.70 0.99 0.65 2.07 0.58 −115.84 0.97Onsho 0.27 1.98 0.60 −7.21 0.97 0.53 1.98 0.68 −115.66 0.95Page 1.32 0.86 0.59 −6.80 0.99 1.74 1.55 1.12 −172.72 0.98Mixed cultivar 0.97 1.32 0.70 −7.75 0.97 1.34 1.89 1.21 −180.44 0.89

properties (Table 2). Result showedhigh relationship betweenvolume and high coefficient of determination,𝑅

2, as shown in

In𝑉 = 0.97 In 𝑎 + 1.32 In 𝑏 + 0.7 In 𝑐 − 7.75,

𝑅2= 0.97.

(4)

Natural logarithm of volume with three diameters of allcultivars and mixed cultivar (combined all data) was high.The relationship between diameters and mass was linear, andthe correlation was high for all studied cultivars and mixedcultivar (combined all data). Mass versus volumewas plotted,and there was a linear relation between mass and volume

4 ISRN Agronomy

of the mixed cultivar of mandarin with a high coefficient ofdetermination, 𝑅

2= 0.96 as shown in

𝑀 = 0.99𝑉 − 5.52. (5)

Agamia et al. [20] reported that the average mass of fruitranges from about 95 to 140 g, the fruit volume from 100to 154 cm3, and the diameter from 4 to 6.5 cm for Nareng,Clementine, Satsuma, Cleopatra, Mallawi, and Baladi Man-darins. Mousa (1998) [2] found that the mean values ofdiameter ranged from about 69 to 84mm; height rangedfrom about 57 to 87mm; mass ranged from about 160 to208 g; volume ranged from 188 to 241mm for Navel, Baladi,Acidless, and Valencia orange varieties.

Relation between themean projected area and the volumeofmandarinwas determined from the plot and the coefficientof determination, between both was very high and close tounity. A nonlinear regression equation for the mixed cultivarof mandarin was determined as showed in

𝐴𝑐 = 1.48𝑉0.65, 𝑅

2= 0.994. (6)

Awady et al. [16] concluded that the physical propertiesof Minneola fruits which had oblong shape were as follows:diameter = 62–89mm, height = 68–104mm, mass = 201–345 g, volume = 120–342 cm3, and projected area = 54–108 cm2.

4. Conclusion

Some physical properties of Clementine, Onsho, and Pagecultivars are presented in this study. From this study, itcan be concluded that the highest and the lowest of length,geometric mean diameter, volume, mass, and specific gravitywere obtained for Page cultivar, and it is the best for export.The lowest values for these traits were observed in Onshocultivar. The mean percent sphericity of each mandarincultivar resulted in different means, varying from 58.45 to97.00%. Also, volume and diameter had a natural logarithmicrelationship with three diameters. The physical and mechan-ical properties are incorporated in the design of the fruithopper, revolving drums with holes (length and diametersof drums, diameter of holes, and number of holes), and exitchute of the designed grading machine.

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[16] M. N. Awady, I. Yehia, M. A. Hassan, and A. M. El Lithy, “Somephysical and mechanical properties of Minneola fruits,” MisrJournal of Agricultural Engineering, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 669–684,2004.

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