Multivariate Data Analysis of the Physicochemical and Phenolic Properties of Not from Concentrate Apple Juices to Explore the Alternative Cultivars in Juice Production

Abstract

The physicochemical properties, including total soluble solids (TSS), pH value, titratable acidity (TA), turbidity, TSS/TA, and color values of not from concentrate (NFC) apple juices of 16 cultivars in the same producing region in China were determined. The results showed that the physicochemical properties affecting juice quality varied with the apple cultivars. Besides, phenolic composition and content in the apple juices were analyzed using ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). There were 13–15 kinds of polyphenols found in the NCF juices, in which procyanidin B2, chlorogenic acid and epicatechin were the main phenolic components. Both the physicochemical and phenolic properties were further analyzed using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The juices of 16 cultivars were classified into three groups showing similar quality score based on the physiochemical properties, and two main groups based on the polyphenolic constitutes. The cultivars classified into the same group may be used as the alternatives in NFC juice production.