Quality of 'Rainha Cláudia verde' plums. Instrumental methods and sensorial evaluation

Abstract

'Rainha Cláudia verde' (Prunnus domestica L. ssp Domestica) is a regional commodity from Alentejo known with a Protected Origin Denomination of Ameixa de Elvas decree nº 49/94 20/01.

The aim of this work is to identify the most important attributes determinant for the global evaluation of these fruits and to study the relation among instrumental and sensorial evaluation.

In order to carried out an instrumental assessment the following quality parameters were evaluated: weight loss, external colour (L* a* b*), visual assessment of the epidermis, epidermis puncture test, mesocarp penetration test, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity and pH. Sensorial evaluation considered visual attributes (Outer aspect, Skin colour, Pulp colour), flavour (Sweetness, Acidity, Typical flavour), texture (Firmness and Juiciness) and Global evaluation.

The most important attributes for final classification were by decreased order: Juiciness, Sweetness, Typical flavour, Acidity and Firmness.

Correlation between instrumental and sensorial parameters were significant for Juiciness and Pulp firmness (r = 0,72) and Sensorial firmness and Skin firmness (r = 0,71).

Instrumental firmness reflects textural and juiciness sensorial characteristics of these fruits, fact that could be very useful to preview the quality of plums Rainha Cláudia verde.