Kinetic and Multivariate Analysis of Polyphenol Oxidase Inactivation by High Pressure and Temperature Processing in Apple Juices made from Six Different Varieties

The effectiveness of high pressure processing on the inactivation of apple polyphenol oxidase has been widely investigated. However, from an industrial point of view, there is a need for assessing this effectiveness on each one of the different apple varieties that each company uses for their products. This piece of work fills in this gap, studying the effect of the variety on apple juice polyphenol oxidase inactivation. Six varieties were assayed (Braeburn, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious), searching for this influence from two different approaches: a kinetic study, finding the best model for each one of them, and a multivariate part consisting of a principal component analysis of data.     

Effect of location in the canopy on the colour development of three apple cultivars during growth

BACKGROUND: Homogeneity in appearance is one of the quality aspects asked for in the supply chain. Decreasing the biological variation in batches of harvested apples (cultivars Braeburn, Fuji and Gala) becomes increasingly important. Skin colour is one of the aspects that determine both optimal harvest and stage of development. Skin colour is affected by location in the canopy. The rules of development of biological variation are now established and will be used on skin colour data. RESULTS: The Minolta colour aspects a*, b* and L* measured before commercial harvest change in a sigmoidal fashion and can be analysed including the biological variation, with a logistic model in indexed nonlinear regression, obtaining explained parts of above 90%. The mechanism of colour change is not affected by state of development or location in the canopy. The location in the canopy affects the intensity of both red and green colouring compounds. The variation in colouration is not affected by the location in the canopy. CONCLUSION: The red‐coloured apple cultivar (Gala) depends more on the location in the canopy than the less‐coloured cultivars (Fuji and Braeburn). The colour development in Fuji apples is considerably slower, with a much larger variation in stage of development. The location in the canopy affects all aspects of biological variation (biological shift factor and asymptotic starting level of colouration) for all three colour aspects L*, a* and b*, but only the mean value, not the standard deviation. The biological shift factors per colour aspects are linearly related. Once induced, variation remains constant during development. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

In Vitro and In Vivo Flavor Release from Intact and Fresh‐Cut Apple in Relation with Genetic,Textural, and Physicochemical Parameters

Abstract: Flavor release from 6 commercial apple cultivars (Fuji, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Morgen Dallago, and Red Delicious) under static conditions (intact or fresh‐cut samples) and during consumption of fresh‐cut samples (nosespace) was determined by proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. Textural (firmness, fracturability, flesh elasticity, and rupture) and physicochemical (pH, acidity, and water content) properties of the apples were also measured. Static headspace analysis of intact fruits revealed Fuji and Granny Smith apples had the lowest concentration for all measured flavor compounds (esters, aldehydes, alcohols, and terpenes), whereas Red Delicious apples had the highest. Fresh‐cut samples generally showed a significant increase in total volatile compounds with acetaldehyde being most abundant. However, compared to intact fruits, cut Golden and Red Delicious apples had a lower intensity for ester related peaks. Five parameters were extracted from the nosespace data of peaks related to esters (m/z 43, 61), acetaldehyde (m/z 45), and ethanol (m/z 47): 2 associated with mastication (duration of mastication–t_con; time required for first swallowing event–t_swal), and 3 related with in‐nose volatile compound concentration (area under the curve–AUC; maximum intensity–I_max; time for achieving I_max–t_max). Three different behaviors were identified in the nosespace data: a) firm samples with low AUC and t_swal values (Granny Smith, Fuji), b) mealy samples with high AUC, I_max, t_swal values, and low t_con (Morgen Dallago, Golden Delicious), and c) firm samples with high AUC and I_max values (Red Delicious). Strengths and limitations of the methodology are discussed. Practical Application: Volatile compounds play a fundamental role in the perceived quality of food. Using apple cultivars, this research showed that in vivo proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR‐MS) could be used to determine the relationship between the release of volatile flavor compounds and the physicochemical parameters of a real food matrix. This finding suggests that in vivo PTR‐MS coupled with traditional physicochemical measurements could be used to yield information on flavor release from a wide range of food matrices and help in the development of strategies to enhance food flavor and quality.     

Investigating consumers' perception of apple juice as affected by novel and conventional processing technologies

This work evaluates consumers' perception of apple juice processed by high pressure processing (HPP) and pulsed electric field (PEF) compared with thermal processing. As a case study, young Chinese immigrants living in New Zealand were selected. Targeting a broad understanding of process impact, three industrially relevant apple cultivars (New Zealand Jazz, Rose and Granny Smith) were chosen. The consumer study was performed using napping with ultra‐flash profiling technique (n = 38). The process impact on sensory perception seems to vary among the investigated apple cultivars. For Jazz and Granny Smith apple cultivars, PEF‐ and HPP‐treated juices are perceived as fresh, natural, sweet and balanced flavour. For Rose apple cultivar, however PEF‐processed juices appear to be perceived as fresh flavour in comparison with HPP and thermally treated juices. Moreover, thermal processing caused cooked flavour. With respect to colour, immediately after processing, HPP retains the natural apple juice colour compared with other treatments.     

X‐Ray Micro‐Computer Tomographic Method to Visualize the Microstructure of Different Apple Cultivars

Apples are appreciated for their texture with firmness acting as an indicator of quality. During prolonged storage, apples can soften and their texture can become undesirably mealy. Using an X‐ray microcomputer tomography (μ‐CT) scanner, the porosity (ratio of intercellular space [IS] to total volume) and the structural arrangement of the parenchyma tissue of 4 apple cultivars (Braeburn, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Jazz) stored under similar conditions for 100 d were visualized via the development of 2D and 3D images. The texture of the apples was also measured using a puncture test. The morphometric and textural measurements revealed that firm Jazz apples (flesh firmness: 29.84N) had a lower porosity (17%) compared to soft Golden Delicious apples (flesh firmness: 14.16N; porosity: 29.8%). In general, firm apples had a higher dry matter (%) and a lower porosity (%), while the reverse was true for softer apples. However, this was not an absolute trend as cultivar specific differences in the microstructural organization and consequent mechanical strength of the parenchyma tissue also influenced firmness. For example, although Fuji apples were firm (28.42N), they had a high porosity (29.3%) due to the presence of numerous small and compact IS. In comparison, soft Golden Delicious apples had a high porosity (29.8%) due to the presence of large, interconnected IS. Imaging technologies have the potential to provide a pictorial or graphical database showing the size range distribution of IS corresponding to different parenchyma tissue types and how they relate to apple texture and eating quality.     

PTR-ToF-MS, A Novel, Rapid, High Sensitivity and Non-Invasive Tool to Monitor Volatile Compound Release During Fruit Post-Harvest Storage: The Case Study of Apple Ripening

In the present study, the potential of PTR-ToF-MS for addressing fundamental and technical post-harvest issues was tested on the non-destructive and rapid monitoring of volatile compound evolution in three apple cultivars (‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Gold Rush’) during 25 days of post-harvest shelf life ripening. There were more than 800 peaks in the PTR-ToF-MS spectra of apple headspace and many of them were associated with relevant compounds. Besides the ion produced upon proton transfer, we used the ion at mass 28.031 (C₂H ₄ ⁺ ) produced by charge transfer from residual O ₂ ⁺ as a monitor for ethylene concentration. ‘Golden Delicious’ apples were characterised by higher ethylene emission rates than ‘Gold Rush’ and ‘Braeburn’, and quantitative comparison has been supported by two segment piecewise linear model fitting. Ester evolution during post-harvest ripening is strongly dependent on endogenous ethylene concentration levels. For ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Braeburn’, sesquiterpenes (alpha-farnesene) exhibited a fast response to ethylene emission followed by a rapid decline after the endogenous ethylene maximum peak. Carbonyl compounds displayed a different time evolution as compared to esters and terpenes and did not show any evident relationship with ethylene. Methanol and ethanol concentrations during the entire storage period did not change significantly. We show how multivariate analysis can efficiently handle the large datasets produced by PTR-ToF-MS and that the outcomes obtained are in agreement with the literature. The different volatile compounds could be simultaneously monitored with high time resolution, providing advantages over the more established techniques for the investigation of VOC dynamics in fruit post-harvest storage trials.     

Effects of dehydration temperatures on colour and polyphenoloxidase activity of Amasya and Golden Delicious apple cultivars

During dehydration at different temperatures (60, 70 and 80 °C) of Amasya and Golden Delicious apple cultivars, changes in colour, polyphenoloxidase activity (PPO), browning index and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content were studied. Effects of dehydration time on the L* values of both cultivars were not significant. Only Amasya samples dehydrated at 80 °C were found to have significantly higher L* values than the remaining samples. In all cases, Golden Delicious samples had higher L* values than those of the Amasya cultivar. a* values of samples increased within the first hour of dehydration and then remained almost unchanged. The enzyme activity showed a rapid decrease in the first hour of dehydration and residual enzyme activities (%) reached 9.8%, 5.3% and 4.5% for Amasya, and 17.4%, 10.3% and 4.6% for the Golden Delicious cultivar at 60, 70 and 80 °C, respectively. In all final samples the residual enzyme activities were around 1%. The highest browning values were observed at the second hour of dehydration at 60 and 70 °C and the first hour of dehydration at 80 °C. In all conditions Amasya apples had a higher browning tendency. The presence of HMF was detected only at the 4th hour of dehydration at 80 °C for both cultivars. Effects of dehydration temperature on colour and PPO of the final product were insignificant. However, an important effect of temperature was determined on the browning index of Golden Delicious samples. The lowest browning tendency was measured on samples dehydrated at 80 °C. The results showed that cultivar and dehydration temperature had considerable effect on the browning of apple slices. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Changes in browning‐related components of apple slices during different stages of instant controlled pressure drop‐assisted hot air drying (AD‐DIC)

The effect of instant controlled pressure drop‐assisted hot air drying (AD‐DIC) on browning‐related components in apple slices was studied. Results showed the AD temperature had no significant effect on colour index of final apple slices. The aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, histidine, arginine, sucrose and dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) in apple slices increased firstly during the AD process and then decreased during DIC process. The fructose, glucose, reduced ascorbic acid and major phenolic compounds reduced with the abrupt increase of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) during AD‐DIC. There were significant correlations (P < 0.05) among moisture content (w.b.), water activity (a_w), water state, reduced ascorbic acid, DHAA, chlorogenic acid, procyanidin B₁, (+)‐catechin, (?)‐epicatechin and phlorizin during AD‐DIC. The colour difference showed that the major browning reaction of apple slices during the predrying process was enzymatic browning, while nonenzymatic browning played a crucial role on green‐red value (CIE a* value) during DIC.     

5种苹果微粉的理化品质与行为特征

为了制备高品质的苹果纯粉,给苹果制粉加工和新产品开发提供理论支持,以国家苹果种质资源圃中常见的5个加工兼鲜食苹果品种(长富2号、寒富、黄元帅、国光、秦冠)为原料,采用中短波红外干燥联合普通粉碎技术制备苹果微粉,对苹果微粉的理化指标及加工过程中的行为特征进行测定与分析,采用主成分分析法对苹果微粉的品质评价指标进行简化。结果显示,在理化指标方面,色泽上寒富苹果微粉的亮度显著高于其他品种苹果微粉,秦冠苹果微粉的亮度最小;长富2号微粉的总酚含量最高;富士系苹果微粉的总糖含量最高。在行为特征方面,长富2号和寒富在高应力条件下的黏结性较小且在输送过程中表现较好。对测定的20项指标依据主成分解释总变量和碎石图,从中提取了反映原来变量90.38%信息的3个主成分,综合各项指标得出富士系苹果是制备高品质苹果微粉的优选品种。     

品种和后成熟对NFC苹果浊汁挥发性香气成分的影响

为了探讨果实品种和后成熟度对苹果浊汁风味的影响,采用顶空-固相微萃取结合气相色谱-质谱联用技术,基于多元数据分析手段,非靶向分析了富士、嘎啦、华硕、金冠、澳洲青苹等5个品种,在3个后熟度下制成的NFC苹果浊汁挥发性香气成分差异。结果表明:醇类（2-甲基-1-丁醇、1-己醇等）、醛类（己醛、（E）-2-己烯醛等）和酯类（2-甲基乙酸丁酯等）为苹果浊汁的主要挥发性香气成分。品种和后熟度对苹果汁的特征性挥发性香气成分的含量和组成影响显著。澳洲青苹果汁挥发性香气成分总量少且含量低,醛类是其主要的挥发性香气物质;富士、嘎啦和金冠果汁则表现出相似的香气组分特征,酯类、醛类和醇类物质含量丰富,具有浓郁的香甜水果气味和青草味;华硕苹果汁的挥发性香气成分以醇类和醛类为主,整体具有清淡的香味和生青味。另外,随着不断后熟,不同品种苹果浊汁挥发性香气成分的变化呈现不同趋势。澳洲青苹和富士苹果汁中的香气成分逐渐累积,分别有15和28种挥发性化合物含量显著增加;嘎啦和金冠苹果汁香气物质含量呈现先上升后下降的趋势,在第二个后熟阶段风味最好;用采摘初期华硕苹果原料制成的苹果汁香气最浓郁,但随着不断后熟,挥发性香气含量显著降低。本研究开展的苹果汁风味特性研究,可为苹果浊汁加工的原料选择提供理论基础。     

Monomeric phenolics in different parts of high‐acid apple (Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana (Dieck) Langenf): a promising source of antioxidants for application in nutraceuticals

The high‐acid apple (Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana (Dieck) Langenf) possessing deep red peel and light red flesh is widely distributed in China. To determine if a useful apple variety is being ignored, the monomeric phenolic profiles and antioxidant activities of peel, flesh, pomace, whole fruit and juice were evaluated. The results were compared to those of ‘Fuji’ and ‘Granny Smith’ apples. The high‐acid apple possessing the highest total phenolic and anthocyanin contents among three apple varieties contained the most chlorogenic acid, phloridzin, epicatechin, ferulic acid, catechin, vanillic acid, p‐coumaric acid and caffeic acid. The extraction yields of phenolics (64%) and anthocyanins (89%) from the high‐acid apple to juice were the highest. The high‐acid apple possessing the greatest antioxidant activity had the strongest antihaemolysis activity, indicating that it could be used to produce juice and value‐added ingredient to assist in the prevention of chronic disease.     

Time course of the colour of young red wines from Vitis vinifera L. during ageing in bottle

The colour characteristics of red wines from Vitis vinifera L. cv Tempranillo, Graciano and Cabernet Sauvignon (vintage 2000) from Navarra (Spain), was studied during 26 months of ageing in bottle through the evaluation of the wine visible spectrum and of several colorimetric indices (colour intensity, %red, %yellow, %blue, %dA and tint) and CIELAB variables (L*, C*, h, a* and b*). During ageing in bottle, the spectrum of Tempranillo wine (pH 4.3) mainly changed in the absorbance range between 420 and 500 nm, whereas Graciano (pH 3.5) and Cabernet Sauvignon (pH 3.6) wines registered a decrease in absorbance in the interval between 500 and 560 nm. The time course of the different wine colour parameters was found to fit either a second‐order polynomium or a linear model, depending on the grape variety employed. CIELAB variables could be described in terms of their colorimetric index counterparts, showing b* and h relative greater errors. Although the wine total chromatic changes in CIELAB units registered after 26 months of ageing in bottle indicated changes perceivable by the human eye (ΔE* ≥ 2.7) for the three varieties studied, Graciano and Cabernet Sauvignon wines showed a more balanced colour evolution than Tempranillo wine.     

Effect of heat treatment on physiochemical,colour, antioxidant and microstructural characteristics of apples during storage

Changes in qualities of ‘Red Fuji’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ apples in response to different heat treatments (45 and 60 °C) following cold storage were investigated. Quality indices including firmness, titratable acidity, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, colour parameters and microstructure were measured. Results indicated heat treatment at both temperatures for 3‐h hastened loss of titratable acidity in ‘Red Fuji’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ apples, but maintained firmness in both cultivars. However, heat treatment at lower temperature (45 °C) best maintained total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in ‘Red Fuji’ apples throughout storage, whereas there was no difference between heat treatments in ‘Golden Delicious’ apples. Examination by scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed that the effect of heat treatment at different temperatures on ‘Red Fuji’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ apples was structurally different. Apple tissue that had been heat treated at elevated temperature (60 °C) for 3 h was associated with fractured cell walls and collapse of cells.     

Exposure to hypoxia conditions alters volatile concentrations of apple cultivars

Brief periods of hypoxia at ambient temperatures (20 °C) have potential for disinfestation treatments or as pre‐treatments to maintain fruit quality during extended storage. Nine cultivars of apple (Cox's Orange Pippin, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Pacific Rose, Red Delicious, Royal Gala, Splendour and Southern Snap) were exposed to hypoxia using an atmosphere of 100% carbon dioxide for 24 h at 20 °C. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of volatile compounds were undertaken after removal of fruits from a high‐carbon‐dioxide atmosphere and during 1 week at 20 °C. Concentrations of acetaldehdye, ethanol, ethyl acetate and ethyl esters were consistently enhanced by hypoxia, while concentrations of acetate esters and aldehydes were depressed. Cultivars varied considerably in response to high carbon dioxide, with Cox's Orange Pippin and Golden Delicious having the least and Fuji and Red Delicious the greatest enhancement in ethyl esters. Fruits exposed to hypoxia had larger odour unit scores than control fruits, suggesting that such changes in volatile concentration may affect aroma and/or flavour. Enhanced ethyl ester concentrations in fruits exposed to hypoxia may be due to increases in ethanol concentration that competitively inhibit formation of non‐ethyl esters. There may also have been a change in ester‐forming enzyme activity and/or substrate specificity of the volatile biosynthetic pathway. This study has shown that short‐term exposure to hypoxia has the potential to change the aroma/flavour of apples. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biological variation in the colour development of Golden Delicious apples in the orchard

BACKGROUND: In managing apple orchards, crop load and rate of nitrogen (N) fertilisation are two factors with a significant influence on fruit quantity and quality, because they affect all physiological processes in the tree. Both factors are strongly related to external and internal fruit quality, especially to skin colour, sugar and acid contents and mineral composition, and consequently to the keeping quality of fruits. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of both factors (three crop load levels and two N fertilisation levels) on the colour development of Golden Delicious apples during the last month on the tree in two consecutive seasons. Data on skin colour (L*, a*, b* values) were analysed using nonlinear mixed effects modelling to extract information on the variation in biological shift factor for colour and to link this variation to the different strategies used concerning N fertilisation and crop load. RESULTS: The major source of information is contained in the a* value. The behaviour of the a* value could be described by a logistic or an exponential model depending on the season and the experimental set‐up. Nonlinear mixed effects analysis estimating the biological shift factor (maturity) for each individual fruit (random effect) while estimating the rate constant of the decolouration process in common (fixed effect) resulted in explained parts well over 95%. CONCLUSION: The variation in maturity stage between individual fruits is large. Season has the most profound effect on the estimated values, far more important than that of crop load or fertilisation level. The magnitude of variation in colour due to crop load and N fertilisation is not too large. Its effect on the maturity stage of fruits is more profound: the higher the crop load, the higher the variation. The effect of fertilisation seems to be opposite: the higher the fertilisation level, the lower the variation. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

PREDICTION OF APPLE FIRMNESS FROM MASS LOSS AND SHRINKAGE

Prediction of firmness from mass loss and shrinkage was investigated in apples (Malus x domestica Borkh.) under regular atmosphere (RA) storage conditions. Apples (‘Delicious’ and ‘Fuji’) were repeatedly weighed to determine mass loss. Shrinkage was measured with a strain gauge sensor. ‘Delicious’ apples lost firmness (73 to 58 N) while ‘Fuji’ apples maintained firmness at 69 N over 57 days in storage. Apples lost mass at a constant rate with ‘Delicious’ losing mass slower (0.6 % per month) than ‘Fuji’ (1.1% per month). ‘Delicious’ apple shrank less (0.28 mm) than the ‘Fuji’ (0.70 mm) over 57 days. The relationship between firmness and mass loss, or shrinkage was dependent on apple cultivar. Firmness was significantly and linearly related to mass loss and to shrinkage in ‘Delicious’ apples. It is possible to predict firmness of ‘Delicious’ apples under RA storage conditions by tracking mass loss or shrinkage.     

INTEGRATING SENSORY ANALYSIS AND HEDONIC EVALUATION FOR APPLE QUALITY ASSESSMENT

ABSTRACT

Apple cultivars were subjected to a consumer test in order to appreciate individual preferences and set up a protocol for a practical hedonic‐sensory evaluation. Cultivars subjected to the test were “Golden Delicious,”“Modì,”“Pink Lady” and “Fuji” of two different origins. Apples had the sensory profile defined by a trained panel and were evaluated by 154 consumers. According to their preferences, consumer population could be divided in six clusters. Consumer preference responses clearly associated the two “Fuji” and showed “Modì” and “Pink Lady” to have appeal on the same consumers groups. Besides expressing hedonic judgment, consumers were requested to indicate the positive sensory attributes determining their choice. Consumers appreciated “Golden Delicious” and “Fuji” on the basis of sweetness and aroma, while preferences for “Pink Lady” and “Modì” were expressed by consumers appreciating crispness, juiciness and a certain degree of acidity. The involvement of consumers in defining attributes driving preferences provides details useful for weighing up the consistency between consumers' response and sensory panel profile.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This work contributes to the knowledge on consumer preferences and concerning apple sensory quality. In particular, the tested varieties could be divided in three groups on the basis of perceived attributes. Knowledge of consumer preferences related to apple qualities can be a key point in planning production and marketing strategies. A protocol integrating sensory characteristics defined by a trained panel, hedonic consumer judgments and sensory preference drivers is proposed.     

"DELICIOUS PILAFA" APPLE DENSITY CHANGES AS A QUALITY INDEX OF MASS LOSS DEGRADATION DURING STORAGE

ABSTRACT

Since many years, the mass density of many agricultural products has been used as a quality‐sorting criterion, and automatic machines have been developed for that purpose. According to the literature, apple flesh density seems to be related to flesh stiffness, but this behavior is not common among all cultivars. However, there is a lack of information on the evolution of apple density during storage. This study aims to investigate changes of “Delicious Pilafa” apple density during storage. Fruits have been preserved at 0, 10 and 16C. Experiments have been repeated for three successive storage periods. Linear equations between density and mass loss have been developed for two ranges of storage temperatures, 0–10C and 10–16C. Moreover, an efficient multifactor linear equation that relates density to storage time and mass loss has also been calculated. “Delicious Pilafa” apples are characterized by a high mass loss rate during storage. Thus, the relationships developed in this study could be useful for quality assessment of stored fruits according to their mass loss.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Mass loss of “Delicious pilafa” apple during storage can be estimated via fruit density and storage time using the developed equations that refers to a variety of storage conditions. Fruit density can be easily measured as well as storage time can be accurately estimated at a certain moment of storage. Such mass loss correlation is important for “Delicious pilafa” apples, characterized from high mass loss rates during storage and thus this prediction procedure could be very useful as an objective quality criterion during storage. Equations that relate mass loss and storage time with fruit density could be also useful for the estimation of fruit's volume. This is particularly important for respiration rate measurements, where fruits volume is required. Using such relations the estimation of volume is feasible only with weighting and without immersing fruits in water that could affect respiration activity and favor spoilage development.

     

Effect of sulphur dioxide concentration added at different processing stages on volatile composition of ciders

This study evaluated the effect of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) added at different steps in the process on the volatile composition contributing to the fruity aroma of cider. Potassium metabisulphite was added (150 and 300 mg/L) at three processing steps (a) crushed apple, (b) apple must and (c) final product. The SO₂ added to the crushed apple either maintained or increased the fermentation rate, whereas the addition to the apple must slowed the fermentation rate. The addition of 300 mg/L of potassium metabisulphite to Golden Delicious apple must inhibited fermentation. The losses of volatile compounds varied from 23 to 46% and from 33 to 97% in all of the treatments with 150 and 300 mg/L of potassium metabisulphite, respectively. 3‐Methyl‐1‐butanol, acetaldehyde and ethyl ethanoate corresponded to >85% of the volatile compounds in the cider; 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol was not affected by the sulphur dioxide. Acetaldehyde showed the greatest reduction (>80%) with the addition of sulphur dioxide and ethyl ethanoate was reduced when the compound was added to the crushed apple and apple must. All of the interactions between the apple variety, the stage of SO₂ addition and the concentration of SO₂ showed significant negative impact on volatile compounds. © 2018 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling