Neck Structure Evolution of Garlic Bulbs During Curing.

Most of the Mexican garlic comes from Guanajuato State and it is appreciated. Esteem that 30% of the state production of this vegetable are destined for seed. Harvest occurs after the tops have fallen and are very dry, basically by the neck state. The reaped plant of garlic is left on the furrow (fitted, enchufado), later it moves to the agro-industrial installation where manually cut its roots and tops. Subsequently it is put under a heat treatment (cured), where the garlic heads lose more humidity. Dryer operator touch cloves to process control. The cured process was investigated using image analysis tool on garlic bulbs. Weights lost of bulbs were measured, real-time images were captured of the neck and roots base section of bulbs during this process. The results threw a correlation between weight loss and the dimension fractal of the perimeter of the neck outer skins. Insignificant differences were observed in textural fractal dimension of the cork, it makes suppose that by this one conduit the loss of humidity is minimum. This information would be useful to improve the process of storage of garlic destined for seed.