Abstract
Minimally-processed pineapple stored under refrigerated conditions is highly perishable. We aimed to characterize the evolution of physicochemical, sensory and microbiological quality during cold storage. Pineapple batches were sampled from several locations in Reunion Island and then minimally processed. In the processing step, the variability of firmness and counts of yeasts and molds were observed. Moreover, correlations between the sampling season and pH and b* color component, as well as between fungal population and b* parameter were observed. During storage, the visual aspect of pineapple cuts changed to brown and shiny, whereas olfactive descriptors shifted from fruity descriptors and fresh to fermented, alcoholic and milky. The values for pH, TA and TSS did not significantly vary according to storage time. A decrease in firmness and C* color parameter was observed. Yeast and mold counts were significantly higher after 7 days of storage. The diversity in yeasts and molds was mainly dependent on the considered batches observed from PCR-DGGE profiles. Fungal species were isolated from spoiled pineapple cuts. The implication of Penicilllium citrtrinum, Talaromyces amestolkiae, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Meyerozyma caribbica in the spoilage of minimally-processed pineapple cuts was further demonstrated.
Highlights
Fruit and vegetable consumption has considerably increased in the past decade
The major color descriptor was “yellow”, and olfactive descriptors were, in descending order of frequency of occurrence, “pineapple”, “fresh”, “fruity”, “pomegranate”, “red fruit”, “citrus”, and “sugared”. These olfactive descriptors are primarily related to fruity characteristics
Physicochemical characteristics of minimally-processed pineapple fruit are modulated by the harvesting season
Summary
Fruit and vegetable consumption has considerably increased in the past decade. They have become an essential part of the human diet. Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is appreciated for its taste and juiciness. It presents many nutritional benefits, being a good source of antioxidants, especially polyphenols, minerals, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B6 [1,2]. Minimally-processed fruits are attractive for consumers as they are perceived as healthy, fresh and convenient for use [3]. Their shelf-life is short, typically a few days under refrigeration, because of physiological and microbiological disorders resulting from cutting the fruit
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