Articles
EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT ON APPLE FRUIT QUALITY AT HARVEST
Article number
737_7
Pages
61 – 65
Language
English
Abstract
A study was conducted to compare the quality of organically and conventionally grown apples (Malus domestica L., cv. Fuji and Golden Delicious) in Lleida (Spain). The differences in total antioxidant activity, determined by 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, were related to the changes in the quality parameters color, firmness, acidity and soluble solids content (SSC). In spite of a slight increase in ascorbic acid in organic Fuji apples, no differences in total antioxidant activity were found between organically and conventionally grown apples at harvest.
In contrast, organic Fuji apples showed higher values of firmness, acidity, SSC, and L* and a* values but lower weight values.
Similarly, the organic grown Golden Delicious apples exhibited the same increases but only when the fruits were picked later.
At both harvest dates, organic Golden Delicious apples were significantly less mature (lower starch index), but not the Fuji apples.
Collectively these results showed that organic management may delay on-tree fruit ripening and also improve the fruit eating quality.
In contrast, organic Fuji apples showed higher values of firmness, acidity, SSC, and L* and a* values but lower weight values.
Similarly, the organic grown Golden Delicious apples exhibited the same increases but only when the fruits were picked later.
At both harvest dates, organic Golden Delicious apples were significantly less mature (lower starch index), but not the Fuji apples.
Collectively these results showed that organic management may delay on-tree fruit ripening and also improve the fruit eating quality.
Authors
G. Reig, C. Larrigaudière, Y. Soria
Keywords
organic apples, antioxidants, standard quality, ripening, DPPH
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