Characterization of four popular sweet cherry cultivars grown in Greece by volatile compound and physicochemical data analysis and sensory evaluation.

Maria Vavoura,Michael Kontominas,Anastasia Badeka,Stavros Kontakos

doi:10.3390/molecules20021922

Abstract

Volatile compounds, physicochemical and sensory attributes of four sweet cherry cultivars (Canada giant, Ferrovia, Lapins and Skeena) grown in Northern Greece were determined. Eighteen volatile compounds were identified and semi-quantified in cherries using solid phase micro extraction in combination with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS). Carbonyl compounds were the most abundant in sweet cherry aroma, followed by alcohols, esters and hydrocarbons/terpenes. Cherry cultivars in order of increasing amounts of volatiles were: Lapins < Canada giant < Ferrovia < Skeena. Physicochemical parameters determined included: titratable acidity (TA), pH, total soluble solids (TSS), maturity index (MI) and total phenolic content (TPC). TA ranged between 0.21 and 0.28 g malic acid/100 g fresh weight (FW). The pH ranged between 3.81 and 3.96. TSS ranged between 13.00 and 16.00 °Brix. MI ranged between 51.8 and 75.0. TPC ranged between 95.14 and 170.35 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g FW. Sensory evaluation showed that cherry colour, in order of increasing intensity, was: Canada giant < Ferrovia < Lapins < Skeena. Respective order for cherry firmness was: Canada giant < Lapins ≤ Ferrovia < Skeena and for flavour: Lapins < Canada giant < Skeena ≤ Ferrovia. Correlation of volatiles to physicochemical and sensory attributes showed varying trends.

Highlights

Sweet cherries of the genus Prunus avium are non-climacteric stone fruit, mainly grown in temperate climate countries
Sensory evaluation showed that cherry colour, in order of increasing intensity, was: Canada giant
They are an important crop in Greece, with an annual production of 45,000–60,000 tons (7%–8% of EU production)

Summary

Introduction

Sweet cherries of the genus Prunus avium (family Rosaceae) are non-climacteric stone fruit, mainly grown in temperate climate countries. They are an important crop in Greece, with an annual production of 45,000–60,000 tons (7%–8% of EU production). A ripe cherry fruit has bright shiny pale to deep red or even purple colour, usually with a thin skin. Due to their colour, aroma, taste and health beneficial antioxidant properties, cherries are greatly appreciated worldwide [2,3]. Among the classical sweet cherry cultivars grown in Greece, the Ferrovia cultivar gives a large, red, shiny skin, heart-shaped fruit of firm texture destined for fresh consumption

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