The mineral composition of apples. IV.‐the radial distribution of chemical constituents in apples, and its significance in sampling for analysis

The distribution of the major mineral elements and some organic constituents about the longitudinal axis of Cox's Orange Pippin apples has been investigated. Although surface colouring is sometimes indefinite potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen and calcium concentrations generally, although not invariably, reach maximum levels at the ‘blushed’ side of the fruit and fall to minimum levels at the ‘unblushed’ side. Large errors can therefore result from the mineral analysis of one section only, instead of the whole fruit. Reduction in sample size can be achieved by the combination of opposite pairs of sections for mineral analysis and the results are usually within ±5% of those for the whole fruit.