Chapter 9: Mechanical Properties of Tomato Fruit and Tissues and Their Impact on Processing

Understanding the mechanical properties of tomatoes has a broad impact on cultivar breeding, postharvest technology, processing technology, sensory evaluation, consumer perception, new product development, and quality control. This chapter presents recent studies on the mechanical properties of tomato fruit and tomato tissues. It focuses on different methods used for measuring textural properties; recent research relevant to the mechanical characteristics of tomato fruit, peel, and tissues; the potential influence of these mechanical properties on the production and consumption of tomatoes; and advanced modelling of textural changes in tomatoes. Finally, the need for future research on mechanical properties of tomatoes is discussed.