Abstract
The aromatic profile of apples constitutes important information for the characterization and description of local products. Apple flavor is determined by perception in mouth and aroma; while the first is mainly defined by sugars and organic acids, aroma is a complex mixture of many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) whose composition is often specific to the variety. Headspace-solid phase microextraction gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) allows for the detection of detailed information of volatile constituents. In this study, eleven apple varieties (Braeburn, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Coop 39-Crimson Crisp®, Dalinette-Choupette®, Fujion, CIV323-Isaaq®, Coop43-Juliet®, SQ159-Natyra®, UEB32642-Opal®) grown in two pedoclimatic locations at different altitudes in South Tyrol (Italy) (ca. 225 m and ca. 650 m a.s.l.) were investigated. Thirty-eight VOCs were identified and combined with sensory analysis results (from 11 trained panelist) to characterize the aroma of new and standard apple varieties with a special focus on pedoclimatic location differences. The study shows strong diversification of the varieties based on their VOC profiles and sensory attributes, as expected. Moreover, investigating how the pedoclimatic location at different altitudes can influence the apple aroma profile, we identified twelve VOCs involved in these differences and provided a deeper investigation on how different altitudes can influence the apple aroma composition and perceptions combining the analytical and sensory parameters.
Highlights
South Tyrol is Italy’s northernmost province, located in the heart of the Alps in a very central position in Europe, and bordering Austria, Switzerland, and the Italian provinces of Sondrio, Trento, and Belluno
The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of 11 apple varieties grown in two pedoclimatic location at different altitudes (A = 225 m; B = 650 m) were investigated
Using a headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass-spectrometry (HP-SPME-GC-MS) analysis with identification and integration of the peaks, we identified 38 compounds expressed as the peak height percentage compared with the total peak heights of identified compounds in the samples under investigation (Table S1, Supplementary Materials)
Summary
South Tyrol is Italy’s northernmost province, located in the heart of the Alps in a very central position in Europe, and bordering Austria, Switzerland, and the Italian provinces of Sondrio, Trento, and Belluno. The territory comprises a total area of 7400 km. The area used for agricultural purposes in South Tyrol amounts to 2670 km , corresponding to. The greater part of income in the agricultural sector is earned by fruit growers [1]. South Tyrol is the largest single apple growing region in Europe; protected in the north by the Alps and open to the south, the region has the ideal climate for excellent harvests and highest product quality. The 300 days of sun per year guarantee ripe and succulent fruits of excellent flavor
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