Correlations between selected quality and electrical parameters of musts from stone and pome fruits

Abstract

The aim of the research was to determine a correlation between the basic physicochemical quality parameters of musts from selected stone (plums, cherries) and pome (apples, pears) fruits and their electrical parameters—conductivity and capacitance ones. The results of the measurements and their statistical analysis showed strong correlations (p ≤ 0.01) between the Z (impedance) and Y (admittance) values measured at the frequency of 100 Hz and acidity values of pome and stone fruits as well as between their Z and pH values (p ≤ 0.05). High correlation coefficients (from − 0.765 to − 0.874) were also obtained between the Z and Y values and density and ash content as well as between Y and pH values (− 0.870) of the analyzed musts. They also showed strong correlations (p ≤ 0.01) between the Cs (series equivalent capacitance) and Cp (parallel equivalent capacitance) values measured at f = 100 Hz and pectin content and acidity as well as between Cp values measured at f = 100 kHz and f = 100 Hz (p ≤ 0.05) and contents of dry matter and ash, viscosity, and pH values of the studied musts. It was found that the results indicate the possibility of describing these correlations with mathematical equations, which in the future may form grounds for the development of a novel, rapid, and simple method for quality assessment of naturally cloudy juices, as an alternative to the standard methods.