MRI method to evaluate internal structural changes of tomato during compression

The effects of compression on the structure of red Roma tomato (Lycopersico n esculentum) were observed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Images were acquired at six strain levels: 0%, 3%, 6%, 20%, 25% and no load sequen tially for each of the replicates. The MR images revealed infernal structur al changes as the strain level increased; these changes were characterized by three displacement parameters: buckling angle (alpha), flattening angle (beta) and columella position (h(c)). The relative change of these paramete rs as a function of strain was evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA), w hich showed that the difference in the means was significant at the 0.05 le vel. In the post hoc analysis, structural changes at the low strains of 3% and 6% were different than the structural changes at the higher strains of 20% and 25%. The columella position showed significant recovery after the l oad was released. In addition to structural changes, the NMR signal intensi ty changed as a result of the compression. In particular, signal intensity from the columella region and upper radial arm increased with strain level. However, further studies are required to analyze these changes statistical ly.