Abstract

Fresh-cut products are an important developing food product category, and as a response to current lifestyles they are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience, nutritious and fresh-like quality. However, fresh-cut produce has limited shelf life because preparation involves physically injuring the tissue, producing subsequent hysiological, physical and chemical responses (increasing respiration rate and ethylene production, flavor loss, cut surface discoloration, browning, color loss, decay, increased rate of vitamin loss, rapid softening, shrinkage and shorter storage life), which influences consumer acceptability. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of hot water dip on the quality of fresh-cut Ryan Sun peaches, applied before or after processing. Fresh-cut Ryan Sun peaches were packaged and stored 6 d at 5 ºC. Respiration rate, firmness, pH, titratable acidy, total phenol content, antioxidant activity and sensory quality were assessed throughout storage. The results demonstrated the efficiency of hot water dip at 50 ºC for 3 min before fresh-cut processing on Ryan Sun peaches to maintain the firmness, lightness and hue angle of the flesh color. This was likely a result of the inactivation of enzymes related to browning and softening. In addition, this treatment allowed the fresh-cut peaches to have the highest TA, which positively influenced the product flavor and thus the acceptability of consumers.