Quality Measurement of Intact and Fresh-cut Slices of Fuji, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and GoldRush Apples

ABSTRACT: Development of fresh-cut apple products requires consideration of cultivars that store well as both intact and fresh-cut fruit. We compared the instrumental and sensory quality of 2 apple cultivars, Granny Smith and Fuji, that are used for fresh cutting with 2 new cultivars, Pink Lady and GoldRush, which were considered to have quality characteristics suitable for fresh cutting. Firmness, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids content (SSC), and aromatic volatile concentration were measured in intact fruit of the 4 cultivars during 12 mo storage in air at 0 °C and during 3 wk storage at 5 °C as fresh-cut slices. After 1 wk storage as fresh-cut slices, sensory evaluations for acceptability of flesh and peel appearance, flavor, texture, and overall eating quality were performed. During storage, GoldRush apples maintained > 80 N firmness, approximately 17% SSC, > 0.5% TA, and had high aromatic volatile production, that is, maintained quality better than the other cultivars. The quality and shelf stability of GoldRush slices were also as good as or better than slices from the other cultivars, whereas Granny Smith slices generally rated lower than the other cultivars. The acceptability of flavor, texture, and overall eating quality of GoldRush slices was as good as that for Pink Lady and Fuji. The quality of GoldRush apples can be maintained throughout the year in refrigerated air storage and still remain suitable for fresh-cut processing. The results indicate that GoldRush and Pink Lady are 2 promising new, high-quality apple cultivars for fresh cutting. Keywords: fresh-cut fruit, Malus × domestica , postharvest quality, respiration rate, shelf life     

Assessment of Relationships between Sensory and Instrumental Quality of Controlled-atmosphere-stored 'Fuji' Apples by Multivariate Analysis

ABSTRACT: Physicochemical parameters, sensory attributes, and total aroma emission of ‘Fuji’ apples (Malus×domestica Borkh.) were studied in relation to storage conditions, storage duration, and shelf life period. Commercially ripe fruit were analyzed after 3, 5, and 7 mo of cold storage in normal atmosphere (AIR) (210 L/m³ O₂+ 0.3 L/m³ CO₂) or under 3 different controlled atmosphere (CA) treatments (10 L/m³ O₂+ 10 L/m³ CO₂, 20 L/m³ O₂+ 20 L/m³ CO₂, or 10 L/m³ O₂+ 30 L/m³ CO₂), after which apples were kept at 20 °C for 1, 5, and 10 d. Data were subjected to partial least square regression (PLSR) analysis. Physicochemical parameters were well preserved throughout storage, especially in CA‐stored apples; however, these apples showed lower total aroma emission. Sensory acceptability was also higher for CA‐stored fruit after 7 mo of storage, whereas no significant differences were found for shorter storage periods. Accordingly, greater scores in sensory firmness, sensory flavor, sensory acidity, and appearance were observed for fruit stored in 10 L/m³ O₂+ 10 L/m³ CO₂ after long storage. Two PLSR models were established, 1 for relating physicochemical parameters to overall acceptability, and another for assessing the correlation between sensory acidity and instrumentally measured titratable acidity. The 1st PLSR model indicated that soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity, flesh firmness, and background color of the shaded side have a positive influence on acceptability. The 2nd model indicated that sensory acidity also showed an excellent correlation to instrumentally measured titratable acidity.     

An apple a day: the influence of memory on consumer judgment of quality

Regular consumers of apples are subjected to a high level of variability in sensory experience. This is due to the biological variation between individual apples, and the deterioration in quality that occurs when fruit are stored for many months. Therefore consumer assessment of quality is likely to be strongly influenced by their capacity to remember past experiences. In this study, we examined the ability of untrained participants to detect differences in apple texture (a primary determinant of quality for many consumers) when presented with fruit at daily and ∼1 min intervals. Each day the participants were given an apple that differed in firmness (measured by an instrumental puncture test) by 0, 5, 10, or 15 N from the fruit tasted on the previous day. They were asked whether the apple was harder, the same or softer than the previous apple, and how sure they were of their answer. The results were analysed using a traditional, bipolar, and weighted bipolar R-index. When comparing apples eaten at daily intervals, the participants were able to detect differences in texture when the instrumental firmness of the fruit differed by as little as 5 N (note that consumers might experience apples between ∼50 and ∼85 N during the year). When the participants tasted apples at ∼1 min intervals, they experienced difficulty detecting any difference in texture even when instrumental firmness of the fruit differed by as much as 15 N. The poorer performance of participants at ∼1 min presentation intervals may be explained by the disruption of a memory trace for texture by other similar but interfering memories (i.e. factors akin to ‘proactive interference’ and ‘suffix’ effects found in research on visual and acoustic memory).     

Effect of short‐term air storage after removal from controlled‐atmosphere storage on apple and fresh‐cut apple quality

BACKGROUND: One of the realities of apple distribution for long‐term stored fruit is that a controlled‐atmosphere (CA) storage room will be unsealed and fruit held in air storage and marketed over several weeks. This work was conducted to determine the effect of post‐CA air storage of whole fruit on potential shelf life for fresh‐cut apple slices. RESULTS: Fresh‐cut slices of ‘Spartan’ and ‘Delicious’ apples held in post‐CA air storage for 2 or 4 weeks showed the least changes in cut surface color as compared with those made from apples immediately on removal from CA. Shelf life was most improved by post‐CA air storage in the ‘Spartan’ apples, which were more advanced in maturity as compared with the ‘Delicious’ apples. Internal ethylene concentration, firmness, and respiration changed significantly with post‐CA air storage, suggesting a relationship between physiological status of the whole fruit and shelf life of slices made from that fruit. CONCLUSION: The results support the hypothesis that apples had suppressed physiological activity in CA storage and are susceptible to accelerated deterioration upon cutting. Holding fruit for 2 weeks in air storage allowed recovery of physiological activity, which resulted in greater resistance to deterioration in response to fresh‐cut processing. Copyright © 2010 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd     

Changes in the quality of jaboticaba fruit (Myriciaria jaboticaba (Vell) Berg. cv. Sabará) stored under different oxygen concentrations

BACKGROUND: Jaboticaba (Myriciaria jaboticaba (Vell) Berg.) is a highly perishable Brazilian berry with a shelf life of only 2 days under ambient conditions. Low temperatures and controlled atmosphere (CA) have been used to extend the shelf life of perishable fruit. Thus the aim of this study was to determine the effect of CA with varying concentrations of oxygen (1, 5, 10, 15 and 21kPa) during cold storage (12.5 °C) of ‘Sabará’ jaboticaba fruit. RESULTS: Atmospheres with lower oxygen concentrations (1 and 5 kPa O₂) significantly reduced jaboticaba respiration rate. Fruit stored under these conditions had higher L* values, and titratable acidity (TA), and lower ratios of soluble solids content (SSC)/TA. However, at the lowest concentration of oxygen (1 kPa O₂), firmness decreased markedly compared to fruits stored at higher O₂ levels (P < 0.05). After only 2 days of storage at ambient temperature jaboticaba received a score of 1.6 (dislike strongly ? 1) compared to fruit stored under CA, which scored 7.4 (like moderately ? 7). After 9 days of storage, fruit from all treatments remained above the limit of acceptability (score 5) and were rated as 6.2. With respect to appearance, statistical differences between treatments were not observed. The total anthocyanin content was not affected by oxygen concentration but decreased 40.4% during CA storage. CONCLUSION: 'Sabará' jaboticaba fruit can be satisfactorily stored under atmospheres containing 5‐21 kPa O₂ at 12.5 °C for up to 6 days. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Postharvest Use of Sucrose Polyesters for Extending the Shelf-life of Stored 'Golden Delicious' Apples

The post-storage uses of a sucrose-fatty acid polyester (SPE) formulation, commercial fruit wax and a combination of both were investigated on ‘Golden Delicious’ apples after fruit were removed from both controlled atmosphere (CA) and refrigerated storage. Quality parameters measured included color (skin and internal), firmness, soluble solids and titratable acidity. Physiological parameters measured were carbon dioxide and ethylene concentrations both evolved and internal. Refrigerated stored apples, treated with SPE, displayed retarded color development, higher acid and greater firmness values compared to controls. CA stored, treated apples possessed similar attributes but no firmness retention. Ethylene evolution was reduced in SPE-coated apples. In comparison to control apples, an internal accumulation of carbon dioxide and a reduction in ethylene was observed.     

RIPENING AND QUALITY CHANGES IN MANGO FRUIT AS AFFECTED BY COATING WITH AN EDIBLE FILM

Mango fruit has a relatively short storage life of about 2 to 3 weeks at 13C. In order to prolong the storage life of ‘Haden’ mangoes, fruit were coated with 3 concentrations (8,16 and 24 g.L^?1) of the edible coating film “Semperfresh” and then stored at 13C and 85% RH. Fruit were then evaluated every 4 days for up to 32 days for total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), pH, firmness, weight loss, color of the skin, and ascorbic acid content. All 3 concentrations applied to the fruit affected fruit ripening. TA, firmness, and green color were higher in coated fruit, and weight loss, SST, and pH were lower compared with the noncoated fruit. “Semperfresh” had no effect on decay development. Ascorbic acid decreased in all stored fruit, but this decrease was slower in coated fruit, and there were no significant differences between the different “Semperfresh” concentrations.     

Delayed harvest and cold storage period influence ethylene production,fruit firmness and quality of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple

The effects of harvest date and cold storage period on ethylene production, fruit firmness and quality of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple were investigated. Fruit were harvested from Perth Hills and Donnybrook (Western Australia) at commercial maturity (CM), 2, 4 and 6 weeks after CM prior to 0, 45, 90 and 135 days cold storage in 2003 and 2004. Delayed harvest significantly increased ethylene production, CIE values a* and C* at both locations in 2 years. Delayed harvest and extended cold storage period increased the internal ethylene production and reduced fruit firmness, soluble solids concentration: titratable acidity (SSC:TA) ratio and reduced CIE values L*, b*, h° during both years and locations. Fruit harvested 2 weeks after CM can be cold‐stored for 90 days with acceptable fruit quality. If the fruit is intended to be sold fresh immediately in local markets, the harvest can be delayed up to 6 weeks after CM to harness substantially improved fruit colour with acceptable fruit quality.     

采后1-MCP和MAP处理对‘红富士’苹果冷藏和货架期品质的影响

对‘红富士’苹果进行1.0 μL/L 1-甲基环丙烯（1-methylcyclopropene,1-MCP）和自发气调包装（modified atmosphere package,MAP）处理,继而进行0 ℃冷藏和20 ℃货架贮藏。结果表明：贮藏期间,‘红富士’苹果果实硬度和可滴定酸含量下降,可溶性固形物含量升高,虎皮病和果心褐变增多。1-MCP处理能较好维持冷藏期间‘红富士’苹果果实硬度和可溶性固形物含量,降低了包装内CO2和乙烯含量。同时,1-MCP明显降低了冷藏期间虎皮病发病指数、果心褐变指数以及果柄端果肉褐变率,显著抑制果皮α-法尼烯及共轭三烯的生成。1-MCP＋MAP结合使用可较好维持果实可滴定酸含量和果皮色泽、抑制果柄端果肉褐变。综合分析认为,1-MCP＋MAP处理能较好维持‘红富士’果实冷藏和货架期间的品质,并显著抑制果实虎皮病的发生。     

CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE AND EDIBLE COATING EFFECTS ON STORAGE LIFE AND QUALITY OF TOMATOES

Tomatoes at pink stage maturities were coated with Semperfresh^TM edible fruit coating which is composed of sucrose esters of fatty acids, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and mono-diglycerides of fatty acids. One group of coated and uncoated tomatoes were stored at 23 × 2C under air atmosphere, another group was stored at 12C under air atmosphere and third group was stored at 12C, 93–95% RH in a controlled atmosphere (CA) containing 3% CO₂, 3% O₂ and 94% N₂. Samples of tomatoes were analyzed for firmness, weight loss, titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids, sugars, ascorbic acid and lycopene to examine changes in quality during storage. Semperfresh^TM edible fruit coating was found to be significantly effective at both storage temperatures (23 × 2C and 12C) in air to delay changes in firmness, titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids, sugars, ascorbic acid and lycopene. Semperfresh^TM fruit coating reduced fruit weight loss as compared to fruit without coating but the difference between coated and uncoated tomatoes was not significant. Shelf-life of pink tomatoes was increased 3 days at 23 × 2C and 6 days at 12C in air by coating. CA storage delayed compositional changes in tomatoes significantly as compared to air storage of coated and uncoated tomatoes. CA storage also had a significant potential for reducing weight loss and microbial spoilage. Tomatoes were stored 40 days in CA. Coated and uncoated tomatoes exhibited the same results in CA.     

梨质地变化规律与动力学模型

为了研究梨在采后贮藏过程中质地变化规律以对可食用期评估,实验测定了‘黄金’、‘玉冠’和‘丰水’3 个品种梨在贮藏过程中泰勒（Magness-Taylor,MT）硬度、果肉硬度、果肉弹性率和感官总体可接受度的变化,并建立了质地参数变化的动力学模型。结果表明：MT硬度、果肉硬度、果肉弹性率总体上均随贮藏时间延长逐渐降低,但果肉弹性率对贮藏时间变化的灵敏性优于MT硬度和果肉硬度,且果肉弹性率与感官总体可接受度的相关性更强;采用零级和一级动力学模型、Logistic模型和威布尔模型对各质地参数拟合,结果均是威布尔模型的拟合结果最佳;通过威布尔模型和感官评定,得到‘黄金’、‘玉冠’和‘丰水’梨的MT硬度分别低于14.762、10.411 N和7.255 N,果肉硬度分别低于8.215、7.438 N和5.181 N,果肉弹性率分别低于4.571、5.572 N/mm和3.609 N/mm后不具备商品价值,不建议食用。研究结果可为梨的贮藏和食用提供指导依据。     

Fruit dry matter concentration: a new quality metric for apples

BACKGROUND: In the fresh apple market fruit must be crisp and juicy to attract buyers to purchase again. However, recent studies have shown that consumer acceptability could be further enhanced by improving taste. This study evaluates the use of fruit dry matter concentration (DMC) as a new fruit quality metric for apple. RESULTS: Fruit samples collected at harvest, in the two main fruit growing regions of New Zealand, showed a variation in mean fruit DMC from 130 to 156 g kg^?1 with ‘Royal Gala’ and with ‘Scifresh’ from 152 to 176 g kg^?1. Individual fruit DMC showed a larger range, from 108 to 189 g kg^?1 with ‘Royal Gala’ and from 125 to 201 g kg^?1 with ‘Scifresh’. Fruit DMC proved a more reliable predictor of total soluble solids after 12 weeks of air storage at 0.5 °C than TSS at harvest for both ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Scifresh’. Fruit DMC was also positively related to flesh firmness, although this relationship was not as strong as that seen with soluble solids and was more dependent on cultivar. Consumer studies showed that consumer preference was positively related to fruit DMC of ‘Royal Gala’ apples. CONCLUSION: Fruit DMC can therefore be measured before or at harvest, and be used to predict the sensory potential for the fruit after storage. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF SELECTED MICHIGAN SWEET CHERRY (Prunus avium L.) CULTIVARS

Sweet cherry cultivars grown in Northern Michigan in 1992 were analyzed for sensory and physicochemical characteristics. ‘Emperor Francis’, a yellow/red blushed, light color cultivar had the highest Brix/acid ratio at the 4th harvest, and it scored higher in sensory tests for sweetness flavor and overall acceptability than the dark cultivars, ‘Sam’ and ‘Hedelfingen’. Harvest dates showed significant effect on titrable acidity, Brix, Brix/acid ratio, sugars, weight and diameter of fruits. Brix/acid ratio showed significant correlation with sweetness. Correlation coefficients between overall consumer acceptability and measured parameters for three sweet cherry cultivars indicate that firmness has potential as an objective overall index for acceptability.     

柠檬酸处理对鸭梨果实贮藏特性的影响

测定2%柠檬酸(CA)处理对套袋鸭梨贮藏品质等贮藏性的影响。结果表明,CA处理有效地延缓了贮藏中果实硬度、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸和Vc含量的下降,有效地控制了果实表皮褐变、果柄失水干枯变黑和腐烂的发生。     

Textural and sensory characteristics of whole and skimmed flavored set-type yogurt during long storage

A study of refrigerated storage (10°C for 91 d) of whole and skimmed flavored set-type yogurt was made. Comparison with storage at 20°C for 21 d and 30°C for 3 d (accelerated) was also carried out. Refrigerated storage yogurts were assessed by a trained panel and by a consumer panel. Trained-panel scores were correlated to instrumental data, and the acceptability data for long storage were studied using consumer criteria. In all cases, after-storage pH values barely changed over storage time, indicating that the yogurt samples did not develop much acidity under any of the storage conditions studied. The profile of the instrumental texture curves obtained corresponded to a firm gel, which broke after a plunger penetrated the sample, and the firmness values of the whole yogurt were lower than for the skimmed yogurt under all the storage conditions studied. From a microbiological point of view, the viability of the yogurts was adequate at the different storage times and temperatures studied, although those stored at 10°C for long periods would not comply with some countries’ minimum requirements. Logistic regression of the data from a 50-consumer sensory evaluation showed that the probability of the whole yogurt being accepted after 91 d storage at 10°C was around 40%, whereas for the skimmed yogurt it was only 15%, largely because the skimmed yogurt developed certain negative attributes at an earlier stage of storage than the whole yogurt.     

不同品种苹果冷藏期间品质与生理变化

研究贮藏期间果实品质生理变化,探讨不同优质苹果品种的贮藏特性。以‘岳帅’、‘望山红’、‘岳阳红’、‘秋富红’苹果为试验试材,在温度（0±0.5）℃、相对湿度90%～95%冷库内贮藏,定期测定果实呼吸强度、硬度、可溶性固形物含量、可滴定酸含量、VC含量、果实质量损失率、多酚氧化酶活性、过氧化物酶活性,分析果实生理品质指标变化与贮藏特性的关系。结果表明,‘岳帅’苹果呼吸强度及酶活性较低,但呼吸高峰出现早,贮藏84 d后果实品质劣变迅速;‘岳阳红’苹果呼吸强度和酶活性较低,贮藏期间果实品质、风味保持最好;‘望山红’和‘秋富红’苹果呼吸高峰出现最晚,果实品质保持较好。通过理化指标和感官评价比较得出：‘岳帅’贮藏期较短,不宜超过84 d;‘岳阳红’、‘望山红’和‘秋富红’苹果适宜长期贮藏,其中‘岳阳红’苹果在贮藏过程中品质及营养成分损失最少,贮藏期可达180 d以上。     

Consumer Acceptability Compared with Sensory and Instrumental Measures of White Pan Bread: Sensory Shelf-life Estimation by Survival Analysis

ABSTRACT: Two studies, one in Uruguay using Uruguayan white pan bread (WPB) and another in Spain using Spanish WPB, were carried out with trained judges and consumers from the country in question. The objectives were to correlate the consumer panel acceptability, trained sensory panel scores, and instrumental measurements of defects likely to appear during WPB storage, to compare the acceptability prediction models obtained in each country, and to apply survival analysis methodology to estimate the shelf life of the product. Logistic regression was used to predict the acceptance percentage and multiple regression was used to predict acceptability. Sensory variables (strange odor) showed a greater prediction capacity for Uruguayan WPB acceptability and acceptance percentage. For the Spanish WPB, instrumental cohesiveness and moisture content variables showed a greater prediction capacity for the acceptance percentage, whereas sensory (cohesiveness and color) and moisture content variables showed a greater prediction capacity for acceptability. Uruguayan WPB shelf life was 15 d for a 50% probability of consumer rejection and 13 d for a 25% probability of consumer rejection, whereas for Spanish WPB it was 23 d for a 50% probability of consumer rejection and 16 d for a 25% probability of consumer rejection.     

The Effect of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on Quality and Cell Wall Hydrolases Activities of Fresh-Cut Muskmelon (Cucumis melo var reticulatus L.) During Storage

The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on quality and cell wall hydrolases activities changes in fresh-cut muskmelon fruit stored at 4?±?1 °C for 7 days were investigated. The results showed that ethylene production of the fresh-cut fruit remained constant during refrigerated storage. 1-MCP treatments delayed the loss of fresh weight and the increase in electrolyte leakage and maintained the firmness of the fresh-cut fruit. The best results are showed in the fresh-cut fruit treated with 1.0 μL L^?1 1-MCP. The use of 1-MCP had no influence on the total soluble solids (TSS) content and pH of the fresh-cut fruit which they remained constant over storage. The titratable acidity (TA) of the fresh-cut fruit decreased during storage and the sample treated with 1.0 μL L^?1 1-MCP showed the lowest data. TSS/TA ratio increased during storage and the TSS/TA ratio was lower in 1-MCP-treated samples than that for the control one. The use of 1-MCP inhibited polygalacturonase (PG), β-galactosidase (β-Gal) and β-galactanase activities, whereas the increases in these enzymes activities were found in the control. Antioxidant capacity and total phenolics content of both 1-MCP-treated and untreated samples remained constant over storage. The reduction of total ascorbic acid content was detected after 7 days of storage. The ascorbic acid content in 1-MCP-treated sample was slightly higher, although not significantly different, than that of the control after 7 days. These results suggest that the loss of firmness was the key factor affecting quality of fresh-cut muskmelon fruit and the use of 1-MCP maintained the quality and inhibited the loss of firmness by retarding the increase in electrolyte leakage and inhibiting cell wall hydrolases activities.