Vol. 82 No: 3

Title:
Development of aroma compounds and sensory quality of 'Royal Gala' apples during storage

Authors:
MARIA A. MOYA-LEON, MIREYA VERGARA, CAROLINA BRAVO, MARCIA PEREIRA and CLAUDIA MOGGIA

pp: 403-413

Abstract:
The effect of 1-MCP and CA storage on aroma production and consumer acceptance were investigated during storage of 'Royal Gala' apples. Fruit was harvested 132 d (Harvest 1) and 144 d (Harvest 2) after full bloom (DAFB), and stored under refrigerated air (RA; 0°C; 90 - 95% RH), or in a controlled atmosphere (CA; 2.0 - 2.5 kPa CO₂, 1.8 - 2.0 kPa O₂), or treated at harvest with 625 nl l^-1 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) ) followed by RA storage. Ripening indices, aroma volatile production, and sensory quality were determined after 2, 4 and 6 months of storage, plus 7 d of simulated shelf-life. Butyl acetate and hexyl acetate were the most abundant esters produced by ´Royal Gala` apple, and hexanol, butanol, and 2-methyl butanol were the most abundant alcohols. Hexyl acetate, 2-methyl butyl acetate and butyl acetate were found to be major contributors to aroma. CA storage and 1-MCP-treatment reduced ethylene production, softening and acidity loss. Storage of apples under RA conditions gave the highest levels of volatiles, while CA and 1-MCP treatment depressed aromatic volatile production in the fruit. At harvest, volatile emission was higher in late-harvested apples than in fruit picked at commercial harvest. After RA storage, no improvement in volatile emission was observed in late-harvested fruit; however, under CA or 1-MCP treatment, late-harvested fruit retained higher odour values than fruit harvested earlier. There was a good correlation between volatile levels and aroma intensity perceived by taste panelists; similarly high correlations were found between ethylene levels and most of the odour-active compounds analysed. 1-MCP and CA-stored fruit were preferred by consumers in all trials, indicating that both treatments can ensure ´Royal Gala` apples maintain their preferred textural characteristics. Therefore, this technology could be used to retain the quality of ´Royal` Gala fruit, especially during long-term storage.

Full text: JHSB Subscribers     ISHS members & other users
(PDF 135343 bytes)

Go back to previous page