Effect of calcium additives on physicochemical aspects of cell wall pectin and sensory attributes of canned peach (Prunus persica (L) Batsch cv. Andross)

Quality evaluation of calcium-treated processed peaches was determined by physical, chemical and sensory analyses. Textural and structural properties of canned peaches indicated that calcium-treated peaches gained better firmness retention and greater proportion of uronic acids between the insoluble and water-soluble pectin fraction, probably due to higher cell wall calcium content. However, it can not be established a direct relationship between calcium and uronic acid content in pectin fractions. A range of sensory descriptors assessed by a trained panel provided results that challenge accepted interpretations in the field of quality evaluation. The results indicated the possibility of processing high quality calcium-treated canned peaches with acceptable qualitative results. Calcium lactate is suggested as a potential calcium source in the peach canning industry, since it provided both better textural features and sensory attributes. The interactions among calcium, physicochemical properties of the cell wall framework and sensory attributes are discussed.