บทคัดย่องานวิจัย

Sensory evaluation of the main loquat cultivars in Spain

M.L. Cañete, V. Pinillos, J. Cuevas, J.J. Hueso

ISHS Acta Horticulturae 750:159-164. 2007.

2007

บทคัดย่อ

Sensory evaluation of the main loquat cultivars in Spain

The most important Spanish cultivars of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) were evaluated and characterized based o­n sensorial analyses with the aim to obtain information about their intrinsic fruit quality values, to detect consumer’s preferences, and to identify differences among cultivars. Twenty five panelists, male and female of different ages, scored five visual and six flavor/texture attributes. They added their global appreciation based o­n the external appearance and flavor of each cultivar o­n a five-point scale. The analyses detected significant differences (p<0.05) in size, shape, color, defects skin, firmness in fingers, sweetness and sourness among the cultivars. Panelists did not distinguish cultivars based o­n their aroma and astringency attributes nor in their juiciness/hardiness perceptions in mouth. Panelists preferred the visual appearance of the fruits of ‘Golden Nugget’, ‘Tanaka’ and ‘Algerie’ cultivars due to their larger size and more rounded shape. They also showed preference for the flavor of ‘Golden Nugget’ and ‘Magdal’ fruits due to their sweeter taste. Results suggest that a further recruitment of new consumers for the enlargement of loquat market in Spain will depend o­n the offer of large, sweeter, attractive well-coloured and oval-rounded shaped fruits. Our results also justify the expanding area of ‘Golden Nugget’ in Spain in detriment of ‘Tanaka’ and ‘Magdal’ crop area.