Physicochemical quality, macronutrients, and dietary fiber in apples from the protected geographical indication ‘Maçã de Alcobaça’, Portugal

Abstract

Apple is a major fruit in the European diet. The range of cultivar types and origins diversify the nutritional composition of apples. Eight apple cultivars (Malus ×domestica Borkh. ‘Casa Nova’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Galaxy’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Jonagored’, ‘Reinette’, and ‘Starking’) with the “Maçã de Alcobaça” Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), Portugal, were harvested at commercial maturity, stored for 3 to 3.5 months at 0°C, and characterized at the edible stage for their nutritional composition. Fruit quality was assessed by color, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, pH, Thiault index and firmness. The concentration moisture, dry matter, carbohydrates, protein, fat, ash, and fiber defined the nutritional profile. ‘Reinette’ had highest soluble solids content, titratable acidity, carbohydrates, protein, ash, energy, dry matter. ‘Granny Smith’ had the lowest soluble solids and carbohydrates contents, dry matter and energy. ‘Casa Nova’, a traditional cultivar, had high fiber content. Energy content varied by more than 30%, lowest in ‘Granny Smith’ and highest in ‘Reinette’, and is strongly correlated with dry matter and soluble solids content. The cultivar-specific range of nutritional value provides a basis for market segmentation based on nutritional content.