Physicochemical and nutritional properties and volatile constituents of six Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cultivars

The aim of this study is to contribute to the qualitative characterisation of six cultivars of Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.), i.e. 'Black Amber', 'Suplumeleven', 'Fortune', 'Larry Ann', 'Suplumsix' and 'Son-gold', by investigating their physicochemical and nutritional properties and their volatile fractions. The results indicate that the plum has a mean sugar content of 15% (between 12.3 and 17.8%), dietary fibre 1.2% (from 0.84 to 1.50%) and a mean energy value of 255 kJ 100 g(-1) of fresh produce (from 183 to 331 kJ 100 g(-1)). 'Black Amber' has the highest phenolic and anthocyanin contents and the greatest total antioxidant activity. In terms of their volatile fraction, Japanese plums are relatively poor in volatile compounds in comparison with other stone fruits. However, there are significant differences between the cultivars studied, with 'Fortune' standing out as the richest in volatile compounds and especially in esters.