Changes in physicochemical characteristics and volatile constituents of yellow- and white-fleshed nectarines during maturation and artificial ripening.
Changes in the volatile composition during maturation and artificial ripening of yellow-fleshed nectarines were investigated by means of GC-FID and GC-MS over three years (1999-2001). Unripe and commercially ripe fruits were placed in ripening chambers until complete ripening and compared to tree-ripe nectarines. Firmness, weight, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, organic acids, and sugars were also determined. Furthermore, the tree-ripe and artificially ripened yellow-fleshed nectarines were subjected to sensory analysis by a taste panel. In 2001, a similar experiment on white-fleshed nectarines (cv. Vermeil) was performed to compare with the results obtained on yellow-fleshed nectarines. Levels of volatiles compounds, in particular, lactones and C(13) norisoprenoids, were found to be the same or higher in the artificially ripened nectarines compared with the tree-ripe nectarines. In addition, no significant difference was observed for sweetness, sourness, and the intensities of "peach odors" or "peach aroma" in the sensory analysis between the tree-ripe samples and the artificially ripened nectarines. However, in the latter the levels of SS and the SS/TA ratio were very close to those observed in the initial unripe samples and significantly lower than those observed in tree-ripe nectarines.
Aubert
Christophe
C
Centre technique interprofessionnel des fruits et légumes, route de Mollégès, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. aubert@ctifl.fr
Günata
Ziya
Z
Ambid
Christian
C
Baumes
Raymond
R
D000447:Aldehydes / Q000032:analysis; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000032:analysis; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development*; D013649:Taste; D014835:Volatilization
D000447:Aldehydes; D007783:Lactones; C051750:2-hexenal