Multivariate Analysis of Quality and Mineral Parameters on Golden Smoothee Apples Treated Before Harvest with Calcium and Stored in Controlled Atmosphere
2002
Benavides, A. | Recasens, I. | Casero, T. | Soria, Y. | Puy, J.
Pre-harvest calcium treatments were applied with the aim of increasing the calcium content and improving the textural parameters in Golden Smoothee apples. Apple trees were sprayed 6 or 12 times with ``Stopit'' (a commercial product) at a rate of 1% (v/v), beginning 60 days after full bloom. The fruit was harvested at commercial maturity and stored for four and six months in controlled atmosphere at ultra-low oxygen regime. Data were analyzed using ANOVA analysis and chemometric techniques. The results showed that both 6 and 12 calcium applications were equally effective at increasing the calcium content in the fruit. Firmness, measured with a texture analyzer, increased when calcium was applied. However, an increase in the number of calcium applications did not lead to a significant improvement in texture. Calcium content showed a strong positive correlation with maximum penetration force (force Magness—Taylor) and a strong negative correlation with acidity. These quality parameters, together with the phosphorus, nitrogen, and boron content, were the variables most closely correlated with the calcium content of the fruit. The rest of the textural and quality parameters analyzed showed no significant correlation with the calcium content. The results also showed that the effect of calcium on texture and other quality attributes decreases with the length of storage.
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