Physico-chemical and sensory properties of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) grown in conventional and hydroponic systems

Abstract

Strawberry is considered a fruit of great commercial interest in many countries due to its color, aroma, flavor, and nutritional properties. However, it is possible that the differences among the cultivation systems could affect the production of photoassimilates in the plant and, consequently, their partitioning into the fruits composition, influencing its quality. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of the cultivation systems (hydroponics in gutters and slabs, and conventional) and genotype on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant and sensory activity in strawberry fruits. The experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design in a factorial 4 × 3 scheme with four replications, represented by trays of approximately 200 g of fruit. In the Laboratory, the strawberries (cv. Oso Grande, Festival, Camarosa, and Albion) were analyzed for their physicochemical properties and sensory variables: titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids (SS), SS/TA ratio, soluble sugars, vitamin C, polyphenol, and antioxidant activity. It was observed that cultivation systems and genotype studied influence the antioxidant activity, physicochemical and sensory properties of strawberries. The conventional system shows higher values for physicochemical variables and antioxidant activity, with cultivar variation within each system. The antioxidant activity attributed to strawberry is strongly related to the content of extractable polyphenols and vitamin C. Regarding the sensory properties, cultivars show good overall acceptability in all production systems studied, no presenting difference among systems.