Physicochemical and volatile profile alterations in pasteurized and frozen strawberry pulp during storage

Abstract

This study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics and volatile profile of strawberry pulp subjected to factors, pasteurization (unpasteurized and pasteurized), freezing method (static air and forced air), and their interactions, during 12 months. Strawberry fruit were washed, sanitized, and pulped. The pulp was packaged, pasteurized, and frozen (0, 2, 4, 6, and 12 months). We concluded that pasteurization alters the strawberry pulp color. The impact of pasteurization and freezing method on the strawberry pulp pH, titratable acidity, and soluble solids variables is negligible. We tentatively identified 13 volatile compounds in fresh fruit and pulp, ethyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, and linalool being the volatiles with the highest area percentage in the two products. The esters were predominant in both the fruit and strawberry pulp. Time is the most determining factor in modifying the strawberry pulp volatile profile, having an isolated effect on the increase of ethanol, ethyl butanoate, and linalool. Practical applications The strawberry is very used worldwide as raw material to different products, due to its color, flavor, and aroma. Thus, obtaining further information about the changes caused by processing and storage is of great importance for the food industry. This study shows the effect of simultaneous application of different processing techniques (pasteurization and freezing methods) on physicochemical variables and volatile profile of strawberry pulp over prolonged storage. Significant and unpublished results involving color, pH, acidity, soluble solids, and volatile compounds of strawberry frozen pulp over storage period are presented and may be applied for food industry to keep the pulp quality.