THE INFLUENCE OF THE SUCROSE POLYESTER, SEMPERFRESH?, ON THE STORAGE OF MICHIGAN GROWN "MCINTOSH" AND "GOLDEN DELICIOUS" APPLES

Abstract

“Golden Delicious” and “McIntosh” apples were treated with the sucrose polyester, Semperfresh™, to determine its influence on fruit maturity parameters during cold storage. the objective of this experiment was to determine if Semperfresh application could delay ripening and improve fruit storage stability. Semperfresh treatment reduced apple ripening rate as observed by several parameters including color and texture. Treated apples had delayed color development (internal and external Hunter color reflectance measurements) during 4 months of storage (39°CF; 5°C). Semperfresh increased fruit penetrometer (firmness) readings of both varieties during storage. Measurements for pH, total acidity, and soluble solids were not affected by Semperfresh treatment. Sensory evaluation using a triangle test, indicated that flavor and textural changes were not detected when apples treated with 1.2% Semperfresh were compared to untreated apples after two months storage.