Effects of the Fruit Harvest Date and Shelf-Life Nexus of Apples on Different Quality Perspectives.

Apples are considered one of the most extensively consumed fruits worldwide, prized for their superior nutritional profile, bioactive compounds, and sensory characteristics. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and sensory characteristics of two apple varieties, Braeburn and Golden Delicious, based on different harvest dates and during a 15-day shelf life period, using multiple quality assessment perspectives. The first part focused on key textural attributes and their changes over time. Golden Delicious fruit exhibited fewer alterations in texture, with only firmness showing significant changes during shelf life. In contrast, Braeburn fruit experienced alterations in multiple textural parameters, including fracturability, springiness, average peak load, and firmness, indicating a higher sensitivity to shelf life effects. Both apple varieties were significantly influenced by the harvest date. From a Kano model perspective, the quality attributes of apples were categorized as one-dimensional and attractive features, while oral processing requirements fell into three distinct categories: attractive, reverse, and indifferent. For the Braeburn variety, firmness was the dominant sensory attribute at the start of the shelf life at each harvest date, decreasing gradually over time. In contrast, the Golden Delicious apple maintained dominance in both firmness and juiciness across all harvest dates and shelf life testing days. Emotional responses during mastication were similarly distributed for all three harvest dates for the Golden Delicious variety, highlighting the stability of sensory experiences for this variety. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex interplay of textural, sensory, and emotional responses to apple varieties, offering practical implications for apple breeding and post-harvest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]