Weight loss revisited: Tomato weight loss modelling as affected by genotype, relative humidity and temperature

• Published in: Postharvest biology and technology Vol. 230; p. 113747
• Main Authors: Xie, L., Guerra, M., Tijskens, L.M.M., Schoevaars, A.M., Verdonk, J.C., Woltering, E.J., Schouten, R.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2025
• Subjects: 1-MCP; Cuticle; Ethylene; Transpiration; Water loss; Transpiration; Cuticle; Water loss; 1-MCP; Ethylene
• ISSN: 0925-5214
• DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.113747

Weight loss is an important subject in horticulture. We propose a kinetic model, consisting of two processes to describe tomato weight loss. The first process describes the conversion of ‘bound’ to ‘free’ water within the fruit, the second process describes the interaction with the outside environment as affected by temperature and relative humidity (RH). We conducted repeated weight measurements of ‘Brioso,’ ‘Capricia,’ and ‘Roterno’ tomatoes, stored at three temperatures and exposed to five RH levels (applied continuously or by switching from one to another RH level) over a 30-day period. Minimal loss was induced by storage at 100 % RH and 1-MCP (1.5 ppm for 24 h). Maximal weight loss was accomplished by storage at 0 % RH and ethylene (100 ppm for 24 h). The calibrated model accounted for 99.7 % of the encountered variation. A simplified weight loss model was applied to phenotype the weight loss of 66 tomato genotypes from three independent harvests. Weight loss was recorded during 35 days of storage at 16 °C and 85 % RH. This model described weight loss of each of the genotypes for more than 98 % of the encountered variation. The negative correlation between the rate constants for the conversion of ‘bound’ to ‘free’ water and the transport through the skin might indicate that a high rate of water availability is met with increased skin resistance to limit water loss (and vice versa). Weight loss phenotyping by kinetic modelling opens a new approach to investigate the genetic background of weight loss. •A kinetic modelling approach is proposed for postharvest weight loss in tomato.•The model includes both water loss to and uptake from the environment.•The model includes conversion of bound to free water and skin resistance.•Bound to free water conversion limits weight loss more than skin resistance.•High availability of free water is linked to higher skin resistance in 66 genotypes.