Use of calcium lactate to improve structure of Flor de Invierno fresh-cut pears

The effect of calcium lactate on the structure (determined by microscopy), texture (penetration test), pectinmethylesterase activity and polygalacturonase activity of fresh-cut Flor de Invierno pears stored for 3 weeks at 4 degrees C was studied. The results showed that calcium lactate reinforced the structure of the fruit maintaining the fibrilar packing in the cell walls and the cell-to-cell contacts. This reinforcement counteracted the increase of both pectinmethylesterase and polygalacturonase activities. These results were reflected at a macroscopic level in an improvement of the texture of the calcium-treated pears. Calcium lactate could therefore be used to improve the structural integrity of fresh-cut Flor de Invierno pears. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.