SENSORY AND HEALTH-RELATED FRUIT QUALITY OF ORGANIC APPLES. A COMPARATIVE FIELD STUDY OVER THREE YEARS USING CONVENTIONAL AND HOLISTIC METHODS TO ASSESS FRUIT QUALITY

摘要: In a 3 years lasting field study with the ‘Golden Delicious’ cultivar, we compared fruits of 5 pairs organic/integrated fruit farms. The orchards were similar in microclimate, soil conditions and planting system. To assess inner quality investigated at beginning and end cold storage: (i) standard parameters (firmness, sugar, malic acid., mineral content); (ii) sensorial quality by panel tests; (iii) health related components (23 phenolic compounds, nutritional fibres; vitamins); and (v) «vitality quality» by holistic approaches (crystallisation copper chloride, self degradation tests, feeding preference tests laboratory rats). The most significant differences found year one study, tendency confirmed following two years. all samples organic had significantly firmer flesh (14%), 10 % higher index (on basis sugar acid content firmness), 15% taste scores than conventional ones. Phosphorus content was 31% apples closely correlated (r2 = 0.93) the index sensory score 0.69). No extraction method Phosphorus soil (water, NH4-EDTA, citric acid, CAL) P-content fruits. However, P fruit flesh r2 0.72 microbial activity expressed as ratio microbialbound Nitrogen Carbon soil. With value 3.85 Cmic:Nmic 44.5 lower (thus more favourable) tree strips. Flavanols, 65.7 total polyphenol content were dominant group polyphenols. content flavonols 22.7 apples in first 15.6 average three self-degradation test didn't provide differences. Laboratory rats, showed tendency to prefer IP probably due to their advanced ripeness. Thus rat behaviour did not correspond judgement. The picture forming provided correct reproducibility repeated blind samples before after storage 0.83), distinguished 100 correctly an first year. second there miss qualification. over dates of the for quality», which especially created this 44.6 with organic methods well quality (r2 0.63) year. revealed interesting consumer-relevant between organic integrated methods.