Post-harvest quality and sensory acceptance of Italian tomatoes grown under organic, integrated and conventional management

Qualidade pós-colheita e aceitação sensorial de tomates italianos produzidos sob manejos orgânico, integrado e convencional

ABSTRACT

Some studies comparing the quality of tomatoes under organic and conventional management can be found in literature; they are still inconclusive and many of them do not address integrated management, though. The aim of this study was to evaluate physical, biochemical and sensory traits of Italian tomatoes under organic, conventional and Hightech integrated managements. Physical (firmness, length, width, mesocarp thickness, mass and volume) and biochemical traits (titratable acidity, sugar content, soluble solids content, vitamin C content, lycopene content, beta-carotene content and antioxidant capacity) were evaluated, besides the sensory attributes as appearance, aroma, flavor and texture evaluated by 105 consumers. The organic fruits showed greater width, fresh mass and pericarp thickness, glucose and vitamin C. The fruits grown under integrated management stood out for higher levels of beta-carotene, whereas the fruits grown under conventional management showed greater acidity and higher lycopene content, as well as less firmness. No difference in relation to the acceptance of tomatoes under the different managements used was noticed, although most consumers preferred organic tomatoes, which were the largest and sweetest. No difference in relation to the acceptance of tomatoes produced under different managements was noticed, despite the discrimination in physical and biochemical traits. Hence, the managements affected only the physical and biochemical traits of Italian tomatoes.

Keywords:
Solanum lycopersicum; production management; post-harvest; consumer test