Fruits, The International Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture

Fruits 73 (1) 39-47 | DOI: 10.17660/th2018/73.1.5
ISSN 0248-1294 print and 1625-967X online | © ISHS 2018 | Fruits, The International Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture | Original article

Organic and conventional strawberries: nutritional quality, antioxidant characteristics and pesticide residues

H.B. Kobi¹, M.C. Martins¹, P.I. Silva¹, J.L. Souza², J.C.S. Carneiro¹, F.F. Heleno³, M.E.L.R. Queiroz³ and N.M.B. Costa^1,a
¹ Federal University of Espirito Santo, Center for Agrarian Sciences, Alegre, 29500-000 ES, Brazil
² INCAPER – Centro Serrano, Venda Nova do Imigrante, 29375-000 ES, Brazil
³ Federal University of Viçosa, Department of Chemistry, Viçosa, 36570-000 MG, Brazil

SUMMARY
Introduction – Organic farming system may affect the food composition and produce healthy foods. The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional quality, antioxidant properties and pesticide residues of organic or conventional strawberries. Materials and methods – In a first experiment, organic and conventional fruits from the cvs. Camarosa and Albion were obtained directly from the farmers. Subsequently, ‘Camarosa’ was produced in organic and conventional systems, under controlled conditions. Pesticide residues were analysed in the second trial and the remaining parameters were evaluated in both experiments. Results and discussion – In the first experiment, the fruits of organic cv. Albion showed higher moisture (91.8%) and lower total solid (8.2%), and carbohydrate (5.7%) contents. ‘Albion’ fruits also showed higher total solid content than ‘Camarosa’ fruits in conventional farming system. Pesticide residues were not detected. Under controlled conditions, organic ‘Camarosa’ fruits had higher moisture (91.5%) and ash (0.4%) contents, whereas conventional strawberries had higher soluble solids (8.5 °Brix), proteins (0.9%) and anthocyanins (17.7 mg 100 g^-1). Residues of azoxystrobin, lambda-cyhalothrin and thiamethoxam were detected at values below the limit of detection (<LOD) in all organic samples, and below the limit of quantification (<LOQ) in conventional strawberries. Conclusion – Organic and conventional production systems do not promote any expressive difference in the nutritional quality or antioxidant properties of strawberries, although the organic farming produced pesticide-free fruits.
Résumé
Fraises biologiques et conventionnelles: qualité nutritionnelle, propriétés anti-oxydantes et résidus de pesticides.
Introduction – Le système d’agriculture biologique peut affecter la composition des aliments et produire des aliments sains. Le but de cette étude était de comparer la qualité nutritionnelle, les propriétés anti-oxydantes et les résidus de pesticides des fraises produites en système biologique ou conventionnel. Matériel et méthodes – Dans une première expérience, les fruits biologiques et conventionnels des cvs. Camarosa et Albion ont été obtenus directement auprès des agriculteurs. Par la suite, les fraises ‘Camarosa’ ont été produites en systèmes de culture biologique et conventionnel, en conditions contrôlées. Les résidus de pesticides ont été analysés dans le deuxième essai et tous les autres paramètres ont été évalués dans les deux expériences. Résultats et discussion – Dans la première expérience, les fruits biologiques du cv. Albion ont présenté des teneurs en eau (91,8%) plus élevées, et des teneurs en matières solides totales (8,2%) et en hydrates de carbone (5,7%) plus faibles. Les fruits d’‘Albion’ avaient également une teneur en solides totaux plus élevée que ceux de ‘Camarosa’ produits en système de culture conventionnel. Aucun résidu de pesticides n’a été détecté. En conditions contrôlées, les fruits biologiques de ‘Camarosa’ avaient des teneurs en eau (91,5%) et en cendres (0,4%) plus élevées, tandis qu’en conventionnel, les fraises contenaient plus de matières solubles (8,5 °Brix), de protéines (0,9%) et d’anthocyanes (17,7 mg 100 g^-1). Des résidus d'azoxystrobine, de lambda-cyhalothrine et de thiaméthoxam ont été détectés, à des valeurs inférieures à la limite de détection (<LOD) dans tous les échantillons biologiques et inférieures à la limite de quantification (<LOQ) dans les fraises conventionnelles. Conclusion – Les systèmes de production biologiques et conventionnels ne favorisent pas l’expression de différences de qualité nutritionnelle ni de propriétés anti-oxydantes des fraises, même si l’agriculture biologique produit des fruits sans pesticides.
Keywords Brazil, strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa, agroecosystems, fruit quality, food safety
Mots clés Brésil, fraise, Fragaria × ananassa, agroécosystèmes, qualité du fruit, santé des aliments

Significance of this study
What is already known on this subject?

Organic farming may affect the food composition and produce healthier foods than the conventional system, characterized by intensive use of chemical products.
What are the new findings?

Organic farming produced pesticide-free fruits, but did not imply on substantial changes in the nutritional quality or antioxidant properties of strawberries.
What is the expected impact on horticulture?

It is expected to encourage the organic farming system in order to produce healthy and pesticide-free strawberries.

E-mail: neuzambc@gmail.com

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Received: 11 September 2017 | Accepted: 15 November 2017 | Published: 30 January 2018 | Available online: 30 January 2018