Changes in Esters, Alcohols and Acetaldehyde in Two Cultivars of Charentais Melon as Influenced by Harvest Date and Storage

摘要

The aim was to establish an optimal harvest date based on Days after Sowing (DAS), ensuring excellent quality fruit with high aroma profile that is preferred by consumers in the export markets. Fruits of Charantais melon ( Cucumis melo L.) were harvested at three different stages of development, corresponding to three different harvest Days after Sowing (DAS), to study the changes occurring in 18 aroma volatiles to find out the best date resulting in high aroma profile acceptable by consumers. Fruit of each harvest were tested immediately after harvest and after storage periods of 5, 10, or 15 days at 7°C. A Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) was used to identify and quantify the aroma compounds and an informal consumer taste panel was conducted. Generally, two ester groups were distinguished in respect to their responses to the harvest date and subsequent storage in both cultivars. Three alcohols and acetaldehyde were decreasing or increasing, while others presented in low or trace amounts affected by harvest date and/or storage. Higher total aroma was detected in the third harvest fruit and their subsequent storage periods that were described by consumers of being the tastiest. It is concluded that both cultivars can be harvested at the third harvest date (ripe stage) and maintain or even improve their aroma profile up to 10 days, a reasonable window for marketing.