Cell wall and metabolite composition of sweet cherry fruits from two cultivars with contrasting susceptibility to surface pitting during storage. (16th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fuentealba, Claudia; Ejsmentewicz, Troy; Campos-Vargas, Reinaldo; Saa, Sebastian; Aliaga, Oscar; Chirinos, Rosana; Campos, David; Pedreschi, Romina
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 342(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04-16
• Subjects: Prunus avium -- Surface pitting -- Metabolomic -- Cell wall; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Highlights: Metabolic and cell wall changes were evaluated in pitted sweet cherries. Alcohol-insoluble residue positively correlate with cherries resistance to rupture. Two phenolic compounds were higher in the cultivar susceptible to pitting. Some metabolic differences were found between pitted and non-pitted sweet cherries. Abstract: Surface pitting is a serious postharvest physiological disorder in sweet cherries that is observed as skin depressions developed days after bruising. This work aims to compare two cultivars displaying different pitting susceptibilities ('Kordia': relatively resistant; 'Sweetheart': relatively susceptible) using metabolomics profiling and cell wall sugar characterization at different developmental stages and during postharvest storage. Kordia was significantly firmer than Sweetheart, with 1.4-fold more alcohol-insoluble residues (AIRs). A significant correlation was observed between AIRs and deformation, indicating that the highest yields of cell wall material are positively correlated with the resistance to rupture. Additionally, free d -galacturonic acid was higher in pitted Sweetheart samples, likely indicating greater pectin degradation in this susceptible cultivar. Higher contents of the p-coumaric acid derivatives L-5-oxoproline and d -galactose in Sweetheart cherries were found. The metabolic changes during storage and cell wall composition could influence the susceptibility to surface pitting.