Articles
A new horizon for pomegranates: red coloration and in-mouth properties of ‘Mollar’ merged in a new hybrid
Article number
1464_29
Pages
221 – 226
Language
English
Abstract
This study evaluates consumer acceptance of two new pomegranate hybrids (Punica granatum L.) obtained at the Elche Agricultural Experiment Station (Spain) and provisionally named ‘H327’and ‘D2712’, in comparison to their parentals, ‘Mollar’ and ‘Wonderful’. A panel of 94 consumers tasted the four cultivars, rated acceptance (scale from 1 – I disliked very much, to 9 – I liked very much), and described their organoleptic properties by means of the check-all-that-apply test; the main physicochemical properties were also evaluated.
The two new hybrids, ‘H327’ and ‘D2712’, inherited the low acidity and sweetness of ‘Mollar’ and the red skin and aril colour of ‘Wonderful’. The seed of ‘H327’ was quite noticeable and firm, similar to that of ‘Wonderful’, while ‘D2712’ featured a soft and less noticeable seed, like ‘Mollar’. Sensory evaluation revealed that the red colour gave the two hybrids an aesthetic advantage over ‘Mollar’, as they were more appealing to consumers.
When tasting arils, three distinct consumer preference profiles were identified: 20% preferred the commercial cultivar ‘Wonderful’, associating it with its acidic character; 46% rejected ‘Wonderful ‘and favoured ‘Mollar’, ‘H327’ and ‘D2712’ for their sweetness and low acidity; 34% showed a marked preference for ‘Mollar’ and ‘D2712’, appreciating their low acidity and soft seed, while rejecting ‘Wonderful’ and ‘H327’, the two cultivars with the firmest and noticeable seeds.
Thus, ‘D2712’ proved to be the most promising of the two hybrids.
It combines an attractive red colour with the in-mouth characteristics of ‘Mollar’, such as low acidity, sweetness, juiciness, mild wood flavor, and a barely noticeable seed.
In the following season, its postharvest behaviour was evaluated during storage at 5°C for up to three months, plus shelf life.
A panel of 80 consumers corroborated its excellent quality, rating appearance and taste with scores of 8 and 7, respectively, with no decline during the evaluated storage period.
The two new hybrids, ‘H327’ and ‘D2712’, inherited the low acidity and sweetness of ‘Mollar’ and the red skin and aril colour of ‘Wonderful’. The seed of ‘H327’ was quite noticeable and firm, similar to that of ‘Wonderful’, while ‘D2712’ featured a soft and less noticeable seed, like ‘Mollar’. Sensory evaluation revealed that the red colour gave the two hybrids an aesthetic advantage over ‘Mollar’, as they were more appealing to consumers.
When tasting arils, three distinct consumer preference profiles were identified: 20% preferred the commercial cultivar ‘Wonderful’, associating it with its acidic character; 46% rejected ‘Wonderful ‘and favoured ‘Mollar’, ‘H327’ and ‘D2712’ for their sweetness and low acidity; 34% showed a marked preference for ‘Mollar’ and ‘D2712’, appreciating their low acidity and soft seed, while rejecting ‘Wonderful’ and ‘H327’, the two cultivars with the firmest and noticeable seeds.
Thus, ‘D2712’ proved to be the most promising of the two hybrids.
It combines an attractive red colour with the in-mouth characteristics of ‘Mollar’, such as low acidity, sweetness, juiciness, mild wood flavor, and a barely noticeable seed.
In the following season, its postharvest behaviour was evaluated during storage at 5°C for up to three months, plus shelf life.
A panel of 80 consumers corroborated its excellent quality, rating appearance and taste with scores of 8 and 7, respectively, with no decline during the evaluated storage period.
Authors
J. Bartual, M. Castellano, M.J. Navarro, C. Besada
Keywords
consumer, preferences, storage, CATA-questions, seeds
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