Comparative nutritional and phytochemical analysis of indigenous Pakistani Strawberry varieties along with shelf-life extension using modified atmospheric packaging technology

Abstract

The present study was conducted to check nutritional characterization i.e., proximate analysis, physicochemical properties (total soluble solid content, titratable acidity, texture, and color), phytochemicals (total phenolic, flavonoids and anthocyanin) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH-2,20-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity) of strawberry varieties (festival, chandler and korona) produced in Pakistan along with shelf life extension using modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology. Accordingly, samples were collected from farms and local market for analysis. Results showed statistically differences (p< 0.05) for proximate composition expect ash and crude fat. Higher moisture content documented in variety chandler as 91.12±7.28%, highest ash in variety korona as 1.4±0.17%, lowest protein in variety Chandler as 0.95±0.13% and highest fat in variety festival as 1.13±0.31. Physicochemical analysis showed highest titratable acidity as 0.70±0.04 g citric acid/100g in variety chandler, highest ○Brix as 8.41±0.11in variety festival whereas, phytochemicals analysis revealed highest total phenolic and flavonoids found in variety chandler as 926.17±53.08 mg GAE/100 g and 180.63±15.72 mg/100g respectively, and lowest 864.44±44.16 mg GAE/100 g, 144.84 ± 12.11 mg/100g in variety korona, respectively. The variety chandler displayed highest antioxidant activity (82.09±6.34%) and anthocyanin (2.74 ± 0.09 mg/100g however, non-significant differences in color values. Further, the shelf life of strawberries was extended by 09 days by modified atmospheric packaging under cold storage for 12 days. For this strawberry was categorized into 5 groups with the different gas combination i.e., MAP0 (control group having 0.05% CO2, 20.95% O2 and 79% N2), and 4 treatment groups MAP1 (3% CO2, 15% O2 and 82% N2), MAP2 (5% CO2, 10% O2 and 85% N2), MAP3 (10% CO2, 5% O2 and 85% N2), MAP4 (15% CO2, 3% O2 and 82% N2). Statistical differences (p< 0.05) were found between groups on different storage days (3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th) in physiochemical, phytochemical, sensory evaluation, and caloric parameters. In nutshell, the results provide valuable information on the nutritional composition, phytochemical characteristics, and quality aspects of strawberries produced in Pakistan. This information is helpful for food processors in value addition, and modified atmosphere packaging technology for the reduction of post-harvest losses.