Physical, biochemical, and sensory properties of strawberries grown in high-altitude tropical climate

Abstract

New cultivars generated each year by international breeding programs enter the Brazilian market. These cultivars need to be tested for their adaptation to the climate in each environment due to the great variety of climates that exist in the country. Strawberry is a highly appreciated fruit due to its biochemical and sensory characteristics and is considered the most important berry. The objective of this study was to determine the physical, biochemical, and sensory properties by performing a sensory evaluation of strawberry fruits, commercially cultivated in the South Minas Gerais region, which is characterized by high-altitude tropical climates. Data were analyzed, and statistical parameters were generated using the principal component analysis (PCA), heat maps, and dendrograms to determine the genetic profile of each cultivar, as well as their relationship. The treatments and analyzed variables were divided into four groups based on the UPGMA method. Considering breeding programs aiming to identify and select strawberries genotypes with better biochemical properties, group III (‘Albion’ and ‘Oso Grande’) was selected due to its high DPPH antioxidant activity, intermediate anthocyanin content, and total phenolic compounds. The Albion cultivar showed excellent biochemical attributes, especially with regard to the levels of glucose, fructose, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity (FRAP and DPPH). Based on the hierarchical grouping and sensorial quality of fruits, the Camarosa cultivar had the lowest scores for most of the sensory attributes evaluated. Minas-C and Oso Grande cultivars presented the highest scores for all the evaluated attributes, including overall acceptance, aroma, color, and purchase intention.