Softness indicator made from tapioca and ammonium molybdate for avocado

Abstract

A softness indicator made from tapioca and ammonium molybdate was used to detect the ripeness of fruit. The indicator in the form of a tablet was attached inside the package of avocado and it was analyzed for its changing color. The results show that there was a suitability between indicator color changes and avocado quality degradation. The tablet indicator showed different colors before and after avocado has been ripped. The color of the indicator from the 1^st day until the 2^nd day of storage was bright yellow with the °Hue value ranging from 99 – 100. The tablet color then turned into dark blue on the 5^th day of storage with °Hue value of of 114 – 178 when the avocado was rotten. The color change was not evenly distributed over the entire surface of the tablet due to being less moisture absorbed by the tablet indicator. In the meantime, fruit quality degradation during the storage was indicated by the increased percentage of weight loss of 20.1% after six days of storage. The firmness decreased and it was confirmed by a texture value of 12.55+1.48 mm/3s on the 1^st day of storage became 15.9 + 0.07 mm/3s on the last day of storage. The total soluble solid was recorded to increase from 11°Brix to 14°Brix.