Many consumers already know that tomatoes picked fresh off the vine pack far more flavor than the bright red orbs chilling at the grocery store.
But scientists didn’t fully understand why putting tomatoes in the fridge could Hole in law (2020) Watch onlinereduce some of their rich flavor.
Now researchers at the University of Florida say they found the answer by studying the tomatoes’ genes. The new research, published Monday, explains why the loss of flavor happens at the molecular level.
The answer calls into question the entire system of handling tomatoes from when they are picked and shipped to when they are purchased and brought home.
Researchers found that chilling tomatoes at temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius, or 53.6 degrees Fahrenheit, hampers the enzymes in the fruit. The study, published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,found that chilled tomatoes' enzymes are less effective at combining volatile compounds, which are crucial for imparting the tomatoes' flavor.
This leads to tomatoes that are relatively fresh and physically appealing -- yet far less flavorful than their farm-picked peers.
"Commercial tomatoes are widely perceived by consumers as lacking flavor. A major part of that problem is a post-harvest handling system that chills fruits," the study's authors, led by Florida horticultural sciences professor Harry Klee, wrote in the study.
"Low-temperature storage is widely used to slow ripening and reduce decay," they wrote, adding that for tomatoes, this results in "reduced flavor quality."
The tomato's taste is determined by the interactions of sugars, acids and a set of 15 to 20 volatile compounds, the study found.
Klee and the other researchers found that cold storage does not significantly affect the tomatoes' sugars and acids. Instead, all the flavor-zapping action happens with the fruits' volatile compounds.
For their research, the team used tomatoes grown in a greenhouse on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville and divided the full, red ripe fruits into three groups.
In the first group, tomatoes were stored at 5 degrees Celsius, or 41 degrees Fahrenheit, with 92 percent relative humidity for seven days, then transferred to 20 degrees Celsius, or 68 degrees Fahrenheit, for a one-day recovery. In the second group, tomatoes were held at 5 degrees Celsius for eight days without recovery at ambient temperature.
In the third group, tomatoes were picked and tested one day later, without chilling.
Researchers found that seven days of cold exposure reduced the tomatoes' levels of volatile compounds by up to 65 percent. The brief recovery periods after chilling failed to restore the fruits' volatiles to normal levels, according to the study.
A panel of 76 consumers also ranked their liking of the chilled and unchilled tomatoes. The taste-testers judged fruits that were chilled for seven days, then stored at 20 degrees Celsius, as much less flavorful than fruits that were picked a day earlier.
Klee said the researchers ultimately aim to "produce a better-tasting tomato" by identifying the genes that control the synthesis of flavor-related volatile compounds, according to Klee's research page on the University's website.
A visual journey through the evolution of the influencer11 career moves for Sean Spicer now that all else has failedThe 20 most inThis shot of Terry Crews in 'Crackdown 3' looks amazingWhy Bitcoin is surging again, in plain English'Stranger Things' ComicWarner Bros. has NINE DC superhero movies coming in the next few years5 weird, and very expensive, space artifacts sold at auctionPeople are playing Harry PotterWarner Bros. has NINE DC superhero movies coming in the next few yearsGame of Thrones opening credits change to possible clueMichelle Pfeiffer will play Janet van Dyne in 'AntFacebook has a modular phone patent, but who knows if we'll see oneDavid Lynch made a short film for the 'Twin Peaks' panel at ComicGwendoline Christie explains why Brienne is still following Catelyn Stark's ordersPeople are playing Harry Potter'Westworld' Season 2 trailer drops at Comic'The Walking Dead' Season 8 trailer: WatchThe 20 most inThis trans student's school tried to censor his artwork. Now it's going viral. #ICantKeepQuiet: How an emotional song of empowerment went viral after the Women's March 'Microsoft the Musical' is the catchiest tech musical you'll ever see 'The Goldfinch' movie drums up very strong reactions from critics Lightning struck Washington 2,200 times on Saturday night This might be the creepiest cover art of all time Motorola One Zoom is the most beautiful phone I've seen in years Apple Music web player arrives for all web browsers Google Maps will be the built The Light Phone 2 is here to try to save you from smartphone burnout Review: 'Hustlers' is as a great time with a powerful message The easiest ways to legally follow the NFL this season without cable Health experts are worried about more quarantines under President Trump: Here's why Pizza chain offers an 'alternate facts' meaty pizza with no calories Hurricane Dorian photos illustrate havoc and destruction in the Bahamas Celebrate the end of summer with 'Snowpiercer' Elon Musk says to look for the Tesla pickup truck reveal in November Jeremy Renner shuts down fan app after extreme trolling This country is raising $600 million to counter Trump's anti These convincing Trump and Kim lookalikes are going viral for obvious reasons Verizon's 5G service will kick off in 13 NFL stadiums this season
2.035s , 10133.1953125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Hole in law (2020) Watch online】,Steady Information Network