Volume 53 Number 3 Article 21
Year 1999 Month 7
Title: Differences in Fruit Color Development, Anthocyanin Content, Yield and Quality of Seven ´Delicious` Apple Strains
Authors: I. Iglesias, J. Graell, G. Echeverria, and M. Vendrell
Abstract:
Seven strains of 'Delicious' apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) were evaluated over a three-year period in the area of Lleida (NE Spain) for fruit color, anthocyanin content, yield and fruit quality.
Fruit
color was measured at two locations on each fruit blush side and back side at the midpoint between the
stem and calix end, with a Minolta Chroma Meter CR-200 portable tristimulus colorimeter using the
CIE [1976] L*a*b* system providing an objective determination of the three visual attributes of color
(lightness, hue angle and saturation). Anthocyanin content of corresponding skin disks was determined
spectrophotometrically.
Significant differences were observed between strains in both the chromaticity
values and the distribution of anthocyanin on both sides of the fruit, even at the first measurement
date.
Strains which had a darker red coloration tended to initiate color development earlier.
In all
strains, rapid color development occurred between the middle of August and the first week of September.
High-coloring strains such as 'Red Miracle,' 'Red Chief' (Campspur) or 'Early Red One' had
significantly higher anthocyanin content, and lower hue angle (Ø and L* values on both sides of the
fruit than low-coloring strains such as Topred' or 'Sharpred.' Fruit color was influenced by the strain
and also by the weather conditions of the particular year.
Whereas in 1993 low temperatures prior to
harvest decreased the effects of strain on fruit color, in 1992 and 1994 average temperatures were
warm, and there were more differences between strains.
The temperatures during the current seasons
influenced fruit color, and consequently the season factor and also its interaction with sampling dates
were significant.
At commercial harvest, a linear regression of anthocyanin content of all strains on the
hue angle, L* and a*/b* ratio, provided R2 values of 0.79,0.80 and 0.82, respectively. 'Early Red One'
and 'Sharpred' were among strains with high cumulative yields. 'Red Chief (Campspur), 'Elite' and
'Early Red One' had relatively high firmness at commercial harvest, and 'Oregon Spur' (Trumdor) and
'Topred' the lowest. 'Sharpred' and 'Topred' had the highest soluble solids concentrations and 'Early
Red One,' 'Elite' and 'Red Chief the lowest ones.
Higher titratable acidity were obtained with 'Red
Miracle' and 'Topred.'
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