Physicochemical, carbohydrate and sensory characteristics of highbush and rabbiteye blueberry cultivars

Abstract

The chemical composition, colour and texture of fresh berries from three rabbiteye ('Climax', 'Premier' and 'Tifblue') and two highbush ('Bluecrop' and 'Jersey') blueberry cultivars were measured. Shear (482 vs 290 N), compression (6.50 vs 3.96 N) and puncture forces (1.48 and 0.85 vs 0.81 and 0.43 N) were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for rabbiteye than for highbush cultivars. Shear for 'Bluecrop' blueberries averaged 254 N, whereas for 'Climax' it was 565 N. The puncture force required to penetrate the skin was lower for 'Bluecrop' (0.78 N) and 'Jersey' (0.83 N) and higher for 'Climax' (1. 71 N). However, sensory panellists found no differences (P > 0.05) in colour, flavour or skin toughness among the five cultivars. 'Climax' was rated lower in seediness. Rabbiteye cultivars contained more fibre and complex polysaccharides than highbush cultivars. These differences in complex carbohydrates that make up the cell wall layers may contribute to the toughness of rabbiteye cultivars and their possible longer fresh shelf-life, though taste panellists did not find this toughness objectionable.

Assessment of Newly Released and Well-Established Rabbiteye Blueberry ( <i>Vaccinium ashei </i>Reade) Cultivars in North Alabama

“…These results coincide with the findings of NeSmith [13], who also found "Brightwell" and "Climax" to have the firmest berries of the rabbiteye blueberry cultivars tested in Georgia. Additionally, Silva et al [27] found that "Climax" was the firmest berry of those tested in Mississippi. "Alapaha", "Onslow", and "Yadkin" were indicated to have a more upright growth habit in 2010, which is also desirable for mechanical harvest.…”

“…Cultivars with softer berries will often bruise if they are harvested mechanically and do not withstand ship- to be softer and show a higher incidence of postharvest decay than hand harvested berries due to damage from the machine harvester [27]. As farms and farm cooperatives continue to grow in size with large plantings and shipping distances increase, firmer rabbiteye fruits will be needed for mechanical harvesting and shipping [27]. Marshall et al [25] showed that when breeding efforts are aimed at producing firmer fruits, cultivars may be selected that are susceptible to rain induced cracking, as firmer varieties tend to have more susceptibility to cracking.…”

“…Berry color is affected by both the total anthocyanin content coupled with the quantity and structure of the waxy coating and is a highly complicated attribute [27]. The color is highly influenced by the state of the epicuticular wax found on the berries and the presence of rodlet wax structures, which are responsible for the light blue color found on some blueberries [26].…”

“…Rabbiteye blueberries tend to be more resistant than highbush to postharvest decay, and they also typically have a smaller, dry picking scar [27]. This scar is considered to be the primary path of entry for postharvest decay organisms, thus a small, dry picking scar is a desirable fruit characteristic [27] [28].…”

“…This scar is considered to be the primary path of entry for postharvest decay organisms, thus a small, dry picking scar is a desirable fruit characteristic [27] [28]. Large berries with small, dry picking scars are the most desirable, but cultivars that produce larger berries often produce larger picking scars [28].…”