4.7 Article

Sensory and Physicochemical Quality, Residual Fungicide Levels and Microbial Load in 'Florida Radiance' Strawberries from Different Disease Control Treatments Exposed to Simulated Supply Chain Conditions

Journal

FOODS
Volume 10, Issue 7, Pages -

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/foods10071442

Keywords

Fragaria x ananassa; supply chain; sensory quality; bioactive compounds; sugars; fungicides; microbial load

Funding

  1. Specialty Crop Block Grant Program at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) [12-25-B-1663]

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Reduced fungicide applications can improve the quality of strawberries, making them firmer, with less moisture loss, higher sugar content, and more bioactive compounds. Additionally, fruits held under steady temperature conditions receive better sensory scores, and washing the fruit can significantly reduce microbial load and residual fungicide levels.
Strawberries are greatly appreciated for their flavor and health-promoting properties. However, current agricultural and postharvest handling practices may result in decreased fruit quality. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of conventional or reduced fungicide applications on the quality of 'Florida Radiance' strawberries exposed to supply chain conditions. Strawberries held under steady temperature had better sensory and physicochemical quality than fruit exposed to supply chain conditions, regardless of the disease control treatment. Strawberries from the reduced fungicide treatment were firmer, lost less moisture, had higher sugar and higher or similar bioactive contents than fruit from the conventional treatment. Sensory scores were better for reduced fungicide fruit held under steady temperature conditions than other treatments at the consumer level. Microbial load increased during the supply chain but results strongly suggest that washing the fruit significantly reduces the microbial load and residual fungicide levels (fludioxonil, cyprodinil, pyraclostrobin, and captan) on the fruit. Overall, the use of reduced fungicide applications to control strawberry disease constitutes a promising alternative to conventional practices. It will help reduce costs by reducing labor and the amount of fungicides used while maintaining overall strawberry quality. Moreover, avoiding abusive and fluctuating temperature conditions during the supply chain will extend shelf-life and reduce strawberry waste.

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