Portable chemistry kit measuring quality of native bush fruits in the field

A prototype digital and portable bush fruits chemistry toolkit has been developed by University of Queensland researchers for communities to use on site, to measure key market attributes of popular bush fruits like Kakadu, Green and Burdekin plums. ARC Training Centre for Uniquely Australian Foods Director at UQ, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, said the kit would help support the knowledge already present in communities by providing scientific measurements to support their own observations.

“Indigenous enterprises and interested buyers need to know product supply logistical measurements like the weight and size of the fruit (its pulp to seed ratio); how much sugar and salt content and acidity levels are in the fruit; and moisture levels.”

The toolkit, developed by UQ’s Dr Anh Phan, was also supported by funding from the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia as part of the Australian Government’s CRC program, and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Queensland, and can be used with any native bush fruit.

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Dr Anh Phan demonstrates the use of callipers to measure fruit to seed ratio – equipment included in the chemistry toolkit, DAF Coopers Plains Lab, June