(Cranfield University, 2007-04) Abayomi, Louise Anike; Terry, Leon A.
The UK-grown onion sector shows strong potential for growth through new
product development as consumers become increasingly aware of the health and dietary
benefits of fresh onion consumption. Prospects for the production of new, more palatable
sweet onions will be boosted by the development of improved grower diagnostics for
flavour standardisation. Growers require simple-to-use on-farm diagnostics to assure
flavour quality. The introduction of pungency tests has led to increased mild onion sales,
however currently tests are out-sourced and as a result costly. Through this Defra-
(Department for Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs) sponsored research project
(HL0164), hand-held biosensor technology, adapted from the medical sector, has been
developed for improved and lower cost pungency and sweetness analysis in onions. Cont/d.