Browsing by Author "Li, Zhiguo"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Investigation of the horizontal collision damage behavior of fruit during transporting based on a new instrumented impactor
    (Elsevier, 2024-04-26) Wang, Minggang; Shi, Mingwei; Fadiji, Tobi; Li, Zhiguo; Song, Guoxiong
    Horizontal collisions between fruit and rigid walls are a common occurrence in postharvest packaging and transportation. To address this issue, a novel high-precision instrumented impactor was developed, comprising a high-speed imaging system, an ejection device, and a force sensor. Results showed that the impactor was able to effectively simulate the horizontal collision process between various small spherical fruits (such as cherry tomatoes, plums, sweet cherries, and winter jujubes) and packaging materials at three velocities: slow, medium, and high. Output parameters included the impact force and impact time of the fruit acting on each packaging material, as well as the displacement, displacement rate, impact energy, rebound energy, and absorption energy of the fruit. During the horizontal collision simulation, it was observed that the winter jujube exhibited the largest impact force and the shortest impact time among the four types of fruit tested. Conversely, the sweet cherry demonstrated the lowest proportion of damage area when colliding with the EPE board compared to the rigid board and foam board. This study presents a powerful tool for investigating the horizontal collision behaviour between fruit and rigid plates.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Investigation on the protection ability of two commonly packaging methods to apples during express transportation
    (Elsevier, 2025-03-01) Yu, Jincheng; Qiang, Hongli; Shi, Mingwei; Li, Zhiguo; Fadiji, Tobi; Wani, Ali Abas; Burgeon, Clément
    Packaging plays a vital role in the post-harvest sales process of apples. This study conducted express transportation tests to evaluate the protective effectiveness of two commonly used packaging methods for apples. Key parameters assessed included real-time changes in temperature, humidity, vibration load, and CO₂ levels inside the packaging boxes during transit, as well as the storage quality of apples after transportation. Results showed significant variations in load distribution within corrugated partition-based cardboard boxes (CP combination packaging). Conversely, foam holder-based cardboard boxes (FP combination packaging) exhibited CO₂ accumulation. Furthermore, mechanical damage was predominantly localized to the fruit belly. Compared to CP combination packaging box, FP combination packaging box provided more stable shock resistance at lower vibration forces (< 10 N) across transit routes, likely due to its EPS foam design, which restricted fruit movement and absorbed external vibrations. Post-storage analysis showed that damaged apples experienced a 0.16 % increase in mass loss, a 0.83 % rise in soluble solids content (SSC), and a 0.19 MPa reduction in firmness compared to undamaged controls. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing packaging design to minimize transport-induced damage and enhance apple preservation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Preserving freshness:Innovations for fresh-eating fruit distribution and damage prevention – A review
    (Elsevier, 2024-07-11) Yu, Jincheng; Wang, Minggang; Li, Zhiguo; Tchuenbou-Magaia, Fideline; Wani, Ali Abas; Zhu, Pengfei; Fadiji, Tobi; Liu, Yande; EU Horizon 2020 MSCA RISE Project ReACTIVE Too, Grant Agreement no. 871163.
    The preservation of fresh-eating fruit within the supply chain is of paramount for maintaining freshness and minimizing resource waste. This article elucidates a comprehensive and integrated approach to fruit loss prevention and preservation techniques which collectively can substantially prolong the shelf life of fresh-eating fruits across various supply chain contexts. Here we show that the proposed solution emphasizes the development of real-time damage monitoring systems, innovative sensors for fruit freshness detection, and predictive methods for quality degradation and estimating shelf life. Additionally, we advocate for fundamental research to support the creation of smart, lightweight, sustainable, shockproof packaging systems. These packaging systems aim to utilize recyclable and biodegradable materials, contributing to environmental sustainability. In conclusion, this study establishes a scientific foundation for innovative solutions in the preservation and damage avoidance of fresh-eating fruits within the supply chain. By considering diverse factors and proposing a holistic approach, we anticipate substantial advancements in preserving the freshness of fruits.