Segregation of plum and pluot cultivars according to their organoleptic characteristics

Cultivar segregation according to the sensory perception of their organoleptic characteristics was attempted by using trained panel data evaluated by principal component analysis of 12 plum and four pluot cultivars as a part of our program to understand plum minimum quality. The perception of the four sensory attributes (sweetness, sourness, plum flavor intensity, plum aroma intensity) was reduced to three principal components, which accounted for 98.6% of the variation in the sensory attributes of the tested cultivars. Using the Ward separation method and PCA analysis (PC1 = 49.8% and PC2 = 25.6%), plum and pluot cultivars were segregated into groups (tart, plum aroma, and sweet/plum flavor) with similar sensory attributes. Fruit source significantly affected cultivar ripe soluble solids concentration (RSSC) and ripe titratable acidity (RTA), but it did not significantly affect sensory perception of plum flavor intensity, sourness, sweetness, and plum aroma intensity by the trained panel on fruit harvested above their physiological maturity.Based on this information, we recommend that validation of these organoleptic groups should be conducted using “in store” consumer tests prior to development of a minimum quality index within each organoleptic group based on ripe soluble solids concentration (RSSC). This organoleptic cultivar classification will help to match consumer preferences and enhance current promotion and marketing programs.     

Relationships between the instrumental and sensory characteristics of four peach and nectarine cultivars stored under air and CA atmospheres

‘Big Top’ and ‘Venus’ nectarines and ‘Early Rich’ and ‘Sweet Dream’ peaches were picked at commercial maturity and stored for 20 and 40 d at −0.5 °C and 92% RH under either air or one of the three different controlled atmosphere regimes (2 kPa O₂/5 kPa CO₂, 3 kPa O₂/10 kPa CO₂ and 6 kPa O₂/17 kPa CO₂). Physicochemical parameters and volatile compounds emission were instrumentally measured after cold storage plus 0 or 3 d at 20 °C. Eight sensory attributes were assessed after cold storage plus 3 d at 20 °C by a panel of 9 trained judges, in order to determine the relationship between sensory and instrumental parameters and the influence of storage period and cold storage atmosphere composition on this relationship.A principal component analysis (PCA) was undertaken to characterize the samples according to their sensory attributes. PCA results reflected the main characteristics of the cultivars: ‘Big Top’ was the nectarine cultivar with the highest values for sweetness, juiciness and flavor; ‘Sweet Dream’ was the sweetest peach and was characterized by high values for crispness and firmness, while ‘Venus’ and ‘Early Rich’ were characterized by their sourness. To assess the influence of storage period and CA composition on sensory properties, a PLS model of the flavor of the different samples was constructed using standard quality attributes and volatile concentrations as the X-variables. The model with 2 factors accounted for more than 80% of flavor variance. PLS results indicated that the main influence on flavor perception was storage period. Atmosphere composition also had an influence on flavor perception: flavor perception decreased from samples stored in a 2/5 O₂/CO₂ atmosphere composition to those of 3/10 and 6/17. These results can be qualitatively extended to juiciness and sweetness since all these sensory properties were strongly correlated.     

Effect of prolonged cold storage on the sensory quality of peach and nectarine

To maintain peach and nectarine quality after harvest, low temperature storage is used. Low temperatures induce physiological disorders in peach, but the effect of cold storage on the sensory quality of the fruit before it is damaged by chilling injury syndrome remains unclear. To evaluate the cold storage effect on the sensory quality two peach cultivars (’Royal Glory’ and ‘Elegant Lady’) and two nectarines (’Ruby Diamond’ and ‘Venus’) were harvested at a standardized firmness level and subjected to quality evaluations and sensory analysis at harvest and after storage at 0 °C for 35 d. For both time points, a supplementary ripening followed such that homogeneous flesh firmness and suitability for consumption was achieved.The fruit segregation through the Durofel firmness (DF), evaluated using a non-destructively method (Durofel device), allowed the formation of a uniform group of fruit in terms of flesh firmness (FF), showing scores between 45.1 and 55.9 N. The average FF in fruit ripened immediately after harvest was 22.9 N and 25.6 N in fruit ripened after cold storage for 35 d.The “acceptability” of fruit is highly correlated with “aroma”, “sweetness”, “juiciness”, “texture” and “flavor”. Only the “acid taste” parameter had no significant correlation with “acceptability” or with the other parameters evaluated.It is possible to conclude that the sensory quality and acceptability of peach and nectarine are characteristic of each cultivar and change, depending on the time elapsed after harvest. In general, it was confirmed that nectarine cultivars have a more consistent quality than peach cultivars.     

Sensory evaluation as a selection tool in apple breeding

Several conventional sensory methods were adapted to provide aprocedure that is suitable for screening apple (Malus × domestica) breeding selections for dessert quality. Trained judges were presented with randomized coded samples (apple slices) and asked to rate them on 0 to 9 bipolar hedonic (liking) scales for texture and flavour, and 0 to 9 unipolar intensity scales for skin toughness, crispness, hardness, juiciness, aroma, sweetness and sourness. Appearance liking was rated on coded samples of five whole apples, using the 0 to 9 hedonic scale. A minimum panel size of eleven judges was generally sufficient to obtain statistical discrimination of one point on the 0 to 9 scales. Panel mean scores for breeding selections relative to standards have been consistent from panel to panel and year to year. A subset of selections and cultivars was rated for appearance and taste by consumers in blind taste tests. In-house panel findings were comparable to consumer ratings for taste and appearance liking, with a few exceptions in appearance. Panel mean scores for texture and flavour liking were regressed on texture and flavour components. Crispness accounted for about 90% of the variation in texture liking. Juiciness, aroma, sweetness and sourness were all important to flavour liking, but their relative importance changed from year to year and in total accounted for only about 60% of variation in flavour liking. Perceived sweetness and sourness were better predictors of liking than analytical measurements of soluble solids and titratable acidity. Formal sensory evaluation can be used successfully for screening breeding selections, and may provide more reliable data than the opinions of only one or two people.     

The nature and inheritance of sweetness and acidity in the cultivated apple

Summary A survey was made of the sweetness and sourness of the fruits of apple cultivars. Measurements of the concentration of sugars and malic acid in ripe fruits were made and the variation between samples of a cultivar, between cultivars, between years and between cultivars and their tetraploid and colour sports was studied and showed a wide range of variation between cultivars but fairly constant values within cultivars.The study of a number of progenies shows that sweetness and sourness are inherited independently. Sweetness shows a quantitative pattern of inheritance and the progeny mean approximates the mid-parent value. Sourness is controlled by a single gene, with medium and high acidity being dominant to very low, superimposed on a quantitative pattern.The mean sugar and acid concentrations of a progeny and the approximate range of variation can be predicted from the sugar and acid concentrations found in the parents.     

Instrumental and sensory quality characteristics of blueberry fruit from twelve cultivars

We compared the instrumental and sensory quality characteristics of blueberry fruit from ten highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivars, Chanticleer, Weymouth, Hannah's Choice, Duke, Bluecrop, Coville, Berkeley, Bluegold, Elliott and Lateblue and two rabbiteye (Vaccinium virgatum Aiton) cultivars, Coastal and Montgomery, grown in New Jersey. Cultivars varied in sensory intensity and acceptability scores. Highbush cultivars, Coville and Hannah's Choice, scored highest among the cultivars in sensory scores for intensity of blue color, juiciness, sweetness and blueberry-like flavor and for acceptability of appearance, color, fruit size, sweet/tart balance, flavor and overall eating quality. In contrast, rabbiteye cultivars, Coastal and Montgomery, and the highbush cultivars, Elliott and Weymouth, scored lowest among the cultivars in sensory scores for intensity of bursting energy, skin toughness, texture during chewing, juiciness, and blueberry-like flavor and for acceptability of appearance, color, fruit size, flavor and overall eating quality. Analytical quality characteristics of surface color, size, compression firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), pH, titratable acidity (TA), SSC/TA ratio, and aromatic volatile concentration also varied among cultivars, but no instrumental measurement adequately predicted consumer acceptability scores. The overall eating quality of blueberry fruit was best correlated with flavor scores followed by sensory scores for intensity of juiciness, bursting energy and sweetness and for acceptability of appearance.     

Suitability of nectarine cultivars for minimal processing: The role of genotype,harvest season and maturity at harvest on quality and sensory attributes

Six cling-stone melting nectarine cultivars (‘Big Top’, ‘Luciana’, ‘Honey Royale’, ‘Nectareine’, ‘Big Nectared’ and ‘Nectalady’) were cut and dipped into an aqueous solution of 2% ascorbic acid, 1% citric acid and 1% calcium chloride before being stored in amorphous polyethylene terephthalate trays. Their suitability to be processed as fresh-cut product was then investigated on the basis of their initial quality, browning potential and sensory attributes as well as the changes in these parameters after processing. At harvest, two maturity stages were selected for each cultivar based on their index of absorbance difference. Nonetheless, no significant effect of maturity stage at harvest was observed for most of the physico-chemical and/or sensory parameters during storage. On the contrary, differences among cultivars were emphasized when comparing ethanol and acetaldehyde production, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, volatiles production, sensory profile, and consumer acceptance. ‘Honey Royale’ and ‘Nectalady’ wedges showed higher volatiles production, whereas ‘Big Nectared’ and ‘Luciana’ had a slightly lower browning index (BI). In the sensory evaluation, ‘Nectareine’ had the highest acceptability scores, whereas ‘Big Nectared’ had the lowest. The significant correlations between volatiles, sensory attributes and degree of liking observed in this study underline the importance of aroma in fresh-cut products.     

Rheological and chemical predictors of texture and taste in dessert banana (Musa spp.)

To be able to account for sensory qualities earlier in the assessment of a new banana hybrid in a selection scheme, predicting the sensory perception of banana texture and taste by instrumental parameters was investigated. Thirteen cultivated banana and four new triploid hybrids were characterized by sensory profiling, and rheological and chemical analyses. Multilinear regressions were used to calibrate predictions using 13 cultivated bananas, and the quality of predictions was validated using four hybrids. The sensory characteristics sourness and sweetness were predicted by titratable acidity (R² = 0.68) and pH (R² = 0.66). Malate and citrate were the main contributors to sweetness and sourness. Astringency was predicted by total tannins (R² = 0.55). Rheological parameters from texture profile analyses (stress at fracture, fracturability) were more suitable than pulp puncture force to predict the sensory texture properties firmness (R² = 0.47) and melting (R² = 0.60). These textural properties were predicted by titratable acidity and dry matter content (R² = 0.62). Predictions of mealiness, adhesiveness, and heterogeneity were not efficient. Differences of 3.6–3.7 meq 100 g⁻¹ FW in titratable acidity or of 0.30 g 100 g⁻¹ FW in malate or citrate were required to ensure a detectable difference in sourness or sweetness (p = 0.9). Pulp puncture force needed to differ by a minimum of 0.9 N before a difference in firmness could be perceived by the panelists. In conclusion, while models to predict sourness and sweetness can now be used for high throughput phenotyping, we recommend additional tests for other sensory attributes.     

福建烤烟淀粉含量与外观质量和感官质量的关系

研究旨在丰富不同香型烤烟烟叶研究,为清甜蜜甜特色优质烟叶开发提供参考依据。以2013—2020年福建省主要植烟区273个初烤烟叶样品为试验材料,对样品淀粉含量、外观质量、感官质量等20个主要指标进行分析评价,采用聚类分析、相关性分析等方法进行研究。福建烟区烟叶淀粉含量高于全国平均水平,上部烟叶与中部烟叶淀粉含量显著高于下部烟叶。淀粉含量对外观质量和感官质量的影响呈类抛物线关系,中淀粉含量组别具有最好的外观质量特性和感官质量。相关性分析显示,低淀粉含量组别淀粉含量主要通过油分、饱满度2个指标影响外观质量,通过香味、甜感、香气质、香气量、浓度及余味等指标影响感官质量;中淀粉含量组别淀粉含量主要通过油分、饱满度和光泽度3个指标影响外观质量,通过香味、甜感、香气质、杂气等指标影响感官质量;高淀粉含量组别中淀粉含量对整体外观质量指标都有负向影响,通过香味和劲头等指标影响感官质量。福建烟区烟叶淀粉含量较高且样品间差异较大,烟叶淀粉含量偏高或过低都会对烤烟的品质有不良的影响,在生产中应平衡控制淀粉含量以提高烟叶品质。     

西洋梨品种间糖酸及风味物质含量差异性比较

以4个西洋梨品种为材料,通过测定果实糖酸含量和芳香成分,并计算其风味指数,研究、比较了西洋梨品种间糖酸含量、风味指数及香味成分差异。结果表明：各个西洋梨品种间糖、酸组分及含量差异较大;在其他因素一致的条件下,风味指数考虑了各个糖组分对果实风味的贡献,更能体现各个品种间果实风味的差异。4个品种中均检测到乙酸乙酯、乙酸丁酯、乙酸己酯、乙酸辛酯、丙酸乙酯、丁酸乙酯及(2E,4Z)-癸二烯酸乙酯等7种特征香味成分,但各个品种间芳香成分含量存在较大差异,而酯类芳香成分相对含量较其他特性芳香成分的相对含量较高。本研究中,从风味指数（味感物质）角度考虑,‘早红考密斯’风味最佳,‘巴梨’和‘康佛伦斯’次之,‘三季梨’风味较淡。从香味成分（嗅感物质）角度考虑,‘康佛伦斯’香味最浓,而‘早红考密斯’香味较淡。     

Biochemical, sensorial and genomic profiling of traditional Italian tomato varieties

Fruit flavour of traditional tomato ecotypes differs from that of modern varieties, the latter being often blamed for lack of flavour. To respond to consumer complaints breeders should know the range of genetic variability available in tomato resources, including local ecotypes, for improving flavour. For this purpose, multitrait characterization, including biochemical, sensorial and molecular analyses, was performed on 12 Italian tomato ecotypes that belong to different types (San Marzano, Sorrento, and Vesuvio). The ecotypes showed a significant variation both in glucose and citric acid content. As for amino acid determination, lysine, aspartic acid and serine showed significant variation among the three types analyzed. Sensory analysis clearly evidenced differences among genotypes: the San Marzano ecotypes revealed sensory profiles that differ from the control processing variety in perception of sweetness and sourness, whereas the Sorrento and Vesuvio ecotype profiles were similar to the fresh market control. In particular, Vesuvio genotypes exhibited a good intensity of tomato aroma and sweetness and an intermediate level of acidity. Finally, molecular characterization performed through AFLP markers provided evidence for a very high level of polymorphism: an ecotype-specific AFLP pattern was identified for at least 11 genotypes, thus defining their molecular fingerprints.     

Phenotypic diversity and relationships of fruit quality traits in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) germplasm

Fruit quality attributes were studied for two consecutive years in forty-three apricot cultivars and selections grown in a Mediterranean climate. Physical parameters (weight, size, flesh and skin colour, percentage of blush, firmness and percentage of dry matter), chemical parameters (total soluble solids content and acidity) and sensory parameters (attractiveness, taste, aroma and texture) were evaluated. A high variability was found in the set of the evaluated apricot genotypes and significant differences were found among them in all studied quality attributes. Year-by-year variations were observed for some pomological traits such as harvest date, flesh colour, fruit weight, firmness and soluble solids content. A high correlation was found among some apricot quality attributes. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) made it possible to establish similar groups of genotypes depending on their quality characteristics as well as to study relationships among pomological traits in the set of apricot genotypes evaluated.     

Friedman检验和定量描述分析法(QDA)在风味酸奶感官评定中的应用

对青橘味(A)、甜橙味(B)、西柚味(C)、柠檬味(D)4种柑橘类酸奶的整体喜好度、感官特性进行评价。其中整体喜好度采用非参数Friedman检验和多重比较中的最小显著差数法(LSD),感官特性选择10个描述风味酸奶的感官描述词进行定量描述分析法(QDA)评价,同时采用偏相关性分析整体喜好度与感官特性关系。结果显示4种产品的整体喜好度评分排序为:C>B>A>D,即评价员最喜欢的是西柚味酸奶,其次是甜橙味酸奶、青橘味酸奶,最不喜欢的是柠檬味酸奶。在5%显著性水平上,C样品明显比A、D样品更受喜欢,B样品明显比D样品更受喜欢。将4种样品分为4组,通过QDA法分析,4种风味酸奶的感官特性各有特色。整体喜好度及感官特性的相关性结果显示,评价员喜欢总香气、奶香气、发酵味、果香气稍强,甜味稍强,稠厚,无苦味的产品,对带有涩感和有颗粒感的样品的喜好度不一致,对香气太强或太弱、稠厚度太强、酸味太弱的产品的喜好度有所下降。     

果汁冷冻浓缩技术对果酒品质的影响

研究了南瓜籽油的溶剂提取法,分别使用乙醚、石油醚和正己烷提取南瓜籽油,确定南瓜籽油的提取工艺为:提取溶剂为乙醚,提取温度54℃,提取时间5 h,南瓜籽的出油率为47.29%.气相色谱分析南瓜籽油表明,南瓜籽油中主要含有4种脂肪酸,分别是棕榈酸、亚油酸、油酸和硬脂酸.     

果汁冷冻浓缩技术对果酒品质的影响

以久保桃为原料,对桃汁进行冷冻浓缩处理,将处理过程中果汁的发酵变化进行对比研究。试验结果表明,冷冻浓缩方法可以很好地保持果汁的香气和成分,经冷冻浓缩的桃汁糖度提高一倍。用浓缩后的桃汁与加糖处理的桃汁进行发酵对比,两者发酵强度均很高。与果汁加糖相比,冷冻浓缩果汁发酵后的成品酒香气及口感均明显地得到改善。     

The effect of delaying harvest date on fruit quality and storage of late highbush blueberry cultivars (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

The effect of delaying harvest on fruit quality and storage life was measured for the late-season highbush blueberry cultivars ‘Aurora’, ‘Elliott’ and ‘Liberty’. In all three cultivars as fruit ripened, there was a steady decline in TA while SS remained stable, indicating that the fruit were becoming sweeter. This was supported by taste panel perceptions of greater sweetness associated with later harvested fruit. There was also a significant overall reduction in fruit firmness and storage life as the percentage of blue fruit at harvest increased; however, a significant interaction for storage life between crop ripeness and cultivar was observed, indicating that the fruit of some cultivars were less influenced by overall crop ripeness than others. The storage life of ‘Elliott’ was significantly affected negatively by crop ripeness, while ‘Aurora’ and ‘Liberty’ were not. ‘Liberty’ produced the highest percentage of sound fruit of the three cultivars and its fruit stored the longest, suggesting that ‘Liberty’ and ‘Aurora’ fruit can be left longer on the bush before harvesting than ‘Elliott’ without significantly damaging storage life. This would allow ‘Aurora’ to develop a sweeter flavor before shipping. The physicochemical and sensory evaluations were highly correlated, suggesting that TA, SS and firmness can be used as predictors of consumer preferences.     

木糖醇白桃罐头的研发

以白桃为原料,研究木糖醇和柠檬酸的添加量,热杀菌温度及杀菌时间对罐头感官品质的影响,确定各因素水平范围,再使用正交试验确定木糖醇白桃罐头的最佳组合。结果表明,在木糖醇添加量12.5%,柠檬酸添加量0.12%,杀菌温度95℃,杀菌时间为15 min条件下制作的木糖醇白桃罐头感官评分最高。该产品酸甜适口、香味浓郁,果肉软硬适度,并且理化指标和微生物指标均达到桃罐头的国家标准。     

Resistance of almond cultivars to Plum pox virus (sharka)

Sharka, a disease caused by Plum pox virus (PPV), mainly affects some Prunus species, including apricot, peach and plum, and to a lesser degree, sweet cherry and sour cherry. In almond, different PPV isolates have been transmitted experimentally to the ‘Aï’ cultivar. In this study, the resistance of 10 almond cultivars to a Dideron PPV isolate was evaluated in controlled conditions by grafting the cultivars on to inoculated GF305 peach rootstocks. The results demonstrated a high level of resistance to PPV in all the almond cultivars assayed. They did not show any symptoms and were ELISA and RT‐PCR negative, despite the strong symptoms observed in their GF305 rootstocks. The implications of these results for the dispersion of PPV, and the potential role of almond as a source of resistance to PPV in other Prunus species such as peach, are also discussed.