Postharvest Quality and Sensory Attributes of Organically Grown Apples

Grower interest in organic apple production in North America has increased in recent years. Changes in philosophy, production, and marketing strategies have fueled this interest in organics.

As part of my M.Sc. thesis (DeEll, 1991), a study was designed to investigate some postharvest quality and sensory attributes of organically and conventionally grown 'McIntosh' and 'Cortland' apples stored at 3^oC in ambient air or in standard controlled atmosphere (CA) for 4 and 8 months. Fourteen orchards located in Nova Scotia were used for evaluations in 1989 and 1990. Half of these orchards were managed conventionally, while the other half were managed organically according to the Canadian Organic Crop Improvement Association standards (OCIA, 1989).

Although penetrometer measurements of firmness were not significantly different due to production method, organically grown 'McIntosh' were perceived by sensory panelists as being slightly firmer than conventionally grown 'McIntosh' at harvest. This was probably due to differences in starch content and/or fruit maturity, as both production methods were harvested at the same time although starch contents were not exactly the same (3.7 versus 4.7 starch index for organic and conventional, respectively). After apples had been stored, sensory panelists did not perceive any significant differences in firmness or juiciness due to production method. Organically grown apples had higher soluble solids concentrations at harvest and after storage (12.1%, versus 11.2% in conventional), but sensory panelists did not identify them as significantly sweeter than conventionally grown apples. There were no significant differences in titratable acidity due to production method, nor did sensory panelists perceive a significant difference in tartness. No significant differences in off-flavor due to production method were perceived by the sensory panelists.

For more information and details, please see the following scientific article: DeEll, J.R., and R.K. Prange. 1992. Postharvest quality and sensory attributes of organically and conventionally grown apples. HortScience 27(10): 1096-1099.