Evaluating Epicuticular Wax and Weight Loss in Blue Honeysuckle

The epicuticular wax levels of blue honeysuckle were categorized into five grades: 0, indicating no wax coverage; 1, denoting wax coverage ranging from 0 to 1/3; 2, representing wax coverage between 1/3 and 2/3; 3, indicating wax coverage ranging from 2/3 to 1; and finally, 4, signifying complete wax coverage. The calculation of epicuticular wax coverage is determined by Equation (1): $$\mathrm{Wax} \mathrm{coverage} \left(\%\right)=\frac{\sum \left(\mathrm{fruit} \mathrm{quantity}\times \mathrm{fruit} \mathrm{wax} \mathrm{level}\right)}{4\times \mathrm{total} \mathrm{fruit} \mathrm{quantity}}\times 100\%$$
The weight loss of blue honeysuckle was assessed on day 0 and subsequently at designated storage intervals (3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days). It was expressed as a percentage relative to the initial weight and calculated using Equation (2): $$Y\left(\%\right)=\frac{W_1-W_0}{W_0}\times 100\%$$
where W₁ represents the weight at each storage interval; W₀ represents the weight of the initial day.
Firmness was determined using a hardness tester (FHM-5, Takemura Electric Work. Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) equipped with an 8 mm probe, following the instructions provided in the manual. The probe was lowered at a consistent speed until it reached the bottom of the blue honeysuckle to measure its firmness.