Cold storage of six nectarine cultivars: consequences for volatile compounds emissions, physicochemical parameters, and consumer acceptance

The effects of cold storage and shelf life of ‘Big Top,’ ‘Honey Blaze cov ,’ ‘Honey Royale cov ,’ ‘Venus,’ ‘August Red,’ and ‘Nectagala cov ’ nectarines were evaluated. Volatile compounds, firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, color, and degree of consumer acceptance of the fruit were determined at harvest, after storage at −0.5 °C for 10, 20, or 40 days and following 3 days at 20 °C. Ten days cold storage plus 3 days at 20 °C produced the highest total ester emission for ‘Nectagala cov ’ and ‘August Red,’ while similar results were obtained after 10 days cold storage for the ‘Big Top’ and ‘Honey Blaze cov ’ and 20 days cold storage for ‘Honey Royale cov ’ and ‘Venus.’ For ‘Nectagala cov ,’ this higher total ester emission coincided with the greatest percentage of satisfied consumers. Increased consumer acceptance was associated with the cultivars and storage time that resulted in firmer fruits and greater concentrations of specific volatile compounds.