Phenolic compounds profile, carbohydrates and external fruit quality of the ‘Concorde’ pear (Pyrus communisL.) after bagging

Abstract

Hudina, M., Stampar, F., Orazem, P., Mikulic Petkovsek, M. and Veberic, R. 2012. Phenolic compounds profile, carbohydrates and external fruit quality of the 'Concorde' pear ( Pyrus communis L.) after bagging. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 67–75. The practice of pre-harvest bagging has been extensively used in several fruit crops to improve the commercial value of the fruit. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fruit bagging on internal and external quality of the European pear (Pyrus communis L.) cv. ‘Concorde’. Fruit quality was determined by chemical analyses (individual sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds) and physical characteristics in 2005 and 2006. Bagging of pear fruit after June drop until harvest significantly reduced fruit length in both observed years. Fruit bagging resulted in increased firmness of the fruit only in 2006. Soluble solids content was significantly lower in bagged fruit in 2006. In 2005, bagging had no influence on firmness and soluble solids content. Bagging improved fruit surface lightness, since L* was higher in the bagged than in the control fruit in both years. Also the a* parameter was higher in bagged fruit. We noted significant influence of bagging on total sugars content. Bagging European pear fruit decreased the content of phenolic compounds in skin (catechin, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, quercetin 3-O-galactoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside). The removal of bags 7 d before harvest significantly increased glucose, shikimic and fumaric acids.