Science and TechnologyScience and Technology
Wed, February 5, 2025

How light affects citrus fruit coloration and the timing of peel and flesh ripening


Published on 2025-02-05 06:02:18 - MSN
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  • Citrus fruit rind color has long been used as an indicator of ripeness, but for some fruits such as mandarin fruit in the Chongqing region of China, the peel and flesh do not ripen synchronously, with the flesh usually reaching maturity while the peel is still green.

The article from MSN discusses a study on how light influences the ripening process of citrus fruits, specifically focusing on the coloration of the peel and the timing of both peel and flesh ripening. Researchers found that light exposure significantly affects the pigmentation of the citrus peel, with different light conditions leading to variations in color development. The study highlights that while the peel's color change is largely influenced by light, the ripening of the fruit's flesh is more dependent on internal physiological processes rather than external light conditions. This research has implications for agricultural practices, suggesting that manipulating light exposure could be used to optimize the visual appeal and market timing of citrus fruits without necessarily affecting the internal quality or ripeness of the fruit itself.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/technology/how-light-affects-citrus-fruit-coloration-and-the-timing-of-peel-and-flesh-ripening/ar-AA1yrlOb ]