New Biodegradable Mulching Films for Strawberry (Fragaria × Ananassa Duch.): Effects on the Volatile Profiles of the Fruit

Abstract

The effects of mulching films on the profiles of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from two strawberry cultivars, namely Elide and Sabrina, were evaluated by headspace solid-phase micro-extraction coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Strawberries were grown on two biodegradable mulching films, named N5 and N18, in comparison to black polyethylene (PE). PCA models, separately performed on the VOCs dataset of the two cultivars, showed that the observations for each of the three mulching films lie in corresponding regions of the PCA plot, suggesting that the mulching films represented the main source of data variation, and hence, the variability of the VOCs profile induced by the mulching films overcame the cv-related one. For both the cultivars, a higher number of VOCs with a positive impact on the “sweet” taste sensation and consumers’ preference were positively correlated with strawberries produced on the biodegradable films compared to PE. However, there was an interaction between the type of cultivar and the mulches, as Elide responded better to N18 and N5 mulching films, while Sabrina responded better only to N18. Altogether, these results could contribute to assessing the effects of mulching type on putative volatile markers of the desirable sensory perception and consumers’ acceptability of strawberries.

Volatile Profile of Strawberry Fruits and Influence of Different Drying Methods on Their Aroma and Flavor: A Review

“…In the Candonga cultivar, linalool, together with α-muurolene and butanoic acid methyl esters, was reported to be an indicator of fruit ripeness, as it modifies during ripening processes. The authors assessed that its concentration could offer information about the optimal harvest time, even if it seems to not be transferable to other cultivars [22,26]. Similar conclusions were drawn by Padilla-Jiménez et al [6], who reported terpenes as the earliest maturation stage markers for the Frontera variety; in fact, they participate in the protection of the plant during its initial development.…”

“…In particular, linalool, and nerolidol were detected as the main volatile terpenoids in cultivated ripe strawberries, whereas α-pinene, β-myrcene, α-terpineol, β-phellandrene, and myrtenyl acetate were mostly identified in wild strawberries [5]. Linalool was the most occurrent VOC in selected research articles, and it was the most abundant in the Elide strawberry variety [26]. The Candonga and Festival varieties were richer in terpenes than the Camarosa cultivar [31].…”

“…Padilla-Jiménez et al [6] investigated the volatile profile of Frontera, Festival, and Albion cultivars at different maturation stages. This chemical class was defined to be highly predominant in the characteristic aromas of all studied cultivars [26,27]. In the Albion and Festival varieties, butanoic acid methyl esters increased in concentration during the maturation of the fruits, resulting in a key compound that could be used as a maturity indicator in these varieties.…”

“…A small group with 4-5% of the reviewed compounds can be classified as aldehydes. They increase in concentration during maturation, and their occurrence is influenced by the genotype [21,26]. Increased levels of aldehydes and ketones have been observed in heat-dried strawberries and derived products, such as jam; however, they decrease after freezing [12].…”