Effect of Storage on the Physicochemical and Flavour Attributes of Two Cultivars of Strawberry Cultivated in Northern India

An attempt was made to understand the changes in physicochemical quality (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total sugars, total phenolics, anthocyanin content, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity assay) and total volatile/aroma compounds of two cultivars of strawberry (Camarosa and Chandler) during storage at 5°C for 9 days at an interval of three days. Observations indicated a significant quantitative difference both in the physicochemical and in total volatile content among the cultivars indicating the importance of cultivar for determining the postharvest quality and shelf life. At the end of 9 days of storage significant changes in the physicochemical and total volatile/aroma compounds were observed. Total antioxidants and total phenols were found to increase significantly, whereas total soluble solids and total sugars decreased with the advent of storage period for both cultivars. Total anthocyanin contents however remained almost constant throughout the storage period. Titratable acidity in Camarosa reduced with the increase in the storage period whereas it remained almost constant in Chandler. Ascorbic acid increased in Camarosa whereas the same decreased significantly in Chandler. Significantly higher contents of esters and terpenoids in Camarosa indicated a better retention of the typical fruits flavour of strawberry compared to that of Chandler.