Fruit molds

In the making of snuff bottles and other small items, gourds and other fruits can be placed in wooden or metal molds while they were still growing. The inside of these molds are carved in reverse so that the positive designs will be impressed into the adult fruit. Objects created in this way were often lacquered or decorated after they were removed from the mold. Other fruits molded in this way include tangerines, oranges, and lemons. 

To illustrate how some filth elements may be detected, measured, and evaluated in fruit and vegetable products, let us consider tomatoes, which are subject to at least three types of depredation worms, flies, and mold. 

Bacteria occur normally in fresh fruit and vegetable tissues. A wide variety of microorganisms have been found on fresh fruits and vegetables, which include mesophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, coliforms, and yeasts and molds (Nguyen-The and... 

Table 12.2. Molds and bacteria associated with spoilage of fruits and vegetables...

With the exception of tomato and perhaps citrus fruits, there is no instance in which the presence of a PG in higher plants or macerates has been conclusively demonstrated. Often the types of changes reported suggest 1 that infection by microorganisms rather than naturally occurring enzymes was the cause of the observed chemical transformations. This is especially true with fruit juices, where the rapidly increasing bacterial and mold flora may eventually cause reactions which do not occur when a sterile macerate is incubated. 

Sooty mold is sometimes troublesome by causing an unsightly appearance of the fruit. The mold growth follows the feeding of mealy bugs and aphids on the inside of the fingers of the bunch of bananas and is usually not seen until the fruit is ready for sale. Economic field control measures should be developed. 

Fruit Decay. Finally in the field of diseases are the decays of fruit in transit. Much of the Brazilian fruit is exported, giving a long period from harvest to utilization and in Argentina a slow rail transport plus the use of uninsulated metal cars adds to the problem. Stem-end rot (Diaporthe citri Wolfe and Diplodia natalen-sis Pole-Evans) plus blue and green molds (Penicillium italicum, Wehmer, and P. digitatum, Sacc.) are rampant, and while the Dowicide A (sodium orthophenyl phe-nate)-Hexamine (hexamethylenetetramine) treatment worked out in Florida is satisfactory, import difficulties stand in the way of obtaining needed materials. 

Space plants 12-18 in (30-45 cm) apart in the row with 30 in (75 cm) between rows. Don t crowd plants a damp atmosphere encourages gray mold (botrytis), which rots the fruit. 

Symptoms Fluffy, grayish-white mold on infected areas (see p.89). Where stems are infected, growth above the infection will yellow and wilt. Flowers— for example, of strawberries—may be infected, but symptoms may not show until the fruits start to ripen. 

What to do Control the pests that are producing honeydew. Spray or sponge leaves with water. When cleaned of mold, fruit will still be edible. 

While other organic esters are commercially available, namely cellulose butyrate and cellulose propionate, by far the most widely used is cellulose acetate, which is available as plastics, in films, sheets, fibers, and lacquers. Cellulose acetate is used in the manufacture of display packaging and as extruded film for decorative signs, and to coat a variety of fibers. Injected molded products include toothbrush handles, combs, and brushes. It is also used in lacquers and protective coatings for metal, glass, and paper. Cellulose acetate films are used in reverse osmosis to purify blood, fruit juices, and brackish water. Some eyeglass frames are... 

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