Date of Award:

5-2013

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences

Committee Chair(s)

Robert E. Ward

Committee

Robert E. Ward

Committee

Karin Allen

Committee

Daren P. Cornforth

Abstract

The USA is the third major world producer of peaches but consumption has decreased over the last two decades. Consumers have cited mealy texture, fruit browning and lack of sweetness as some undesirable characteristics in peaches, which may be related to the decline. The focus of this study was to evaluate the effect of farm management practices on fruit quality. Physical parameters (color, firmness and size), volatiles and metabolite data was collected.
Sensory evaluation indicated transitional organic peaches were liked the best and organically grown peaches were least liked. All the treatments were significantly different from each other and consumers preferred the aroma of conventionally grown peaches. Firmness and sugar content of the treatments were not different from each other. The total phenolic content was found to be significantly higher in transitional organic and organic peaches compared to conventional peaches. Transitional organic peaches were more liked and organic were least liked, but the nutritional values in organic peaches can be the point of interest for the consumers.

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606763c36be7c6669e21da16129f27fe

Included in

Food Science Commons

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