ОРГАНОЛЕПТИЧНА ОЦІНКА ЇСТІВНИХ ПОКРИТТІВ ДЛЯ СВІЖОНАРІЗАНИХ ЯБЛУК НА ЕТАПІ ДОТЕХНОЛОГІЧНОГО СКРИНІНГУ В УМОВАХ ХОЛОДИЛЬНОГО ЛАНЦЮГА

Aim. Freshly cut fruit has a limited shelf life due to oxidative browning, changes in texture and spoilage. Applying a food-grade coating helps maintain quality; however, the presence of off-flavors renders the product unfit for consumption. The aim of the study was to conduct screening of coatings for fresh-cut apples based on the criterion of maximum sensory acceptability. Pre-chilled Jonagold (Wilmoth) apples were washed, sorted, cored, sliced into 10 ± 1 mm thick wedges, and immersed in coating solutions: carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) (0.1 %; 0.5 %; 1 %), maltodextrin (MD) (1 %; 3 %; 6 %), sodium alginate (ALG) (0.5 %; 1 %; 2 %), and L-cysteine (L-C) (0.1 %; 0.5 %; 1 %). The fruit was dried, packed in polyethylene terephthalate containers, and stored at a temperature of 4±1 °C. Control 1 consisted of freshly cut, untreated apples; Control 2 consisted of freshly cut apples treated with distilled water. Overall taste, the intensity of off-flavors, and types of defects were evaluated. The MD (1 %), MD (3 %) and L-C (0.1 %) had a neutral taste characteristic of apples and achieved 100 % consumer acceptance. The L-C (0.5%) and ALG (0.5 %) were acceptable; however, a sulfury aftertaste was noted in the fruit (L-C) and stickiness (ALG). The sample MD (6 %) was rated as questionable due to its pronounced “stickiness” and starchy aftertaste. The lowest scores were given to samples 1 % CMC (3.10) and 2% ALG (2.40), where 100 % of the tasters noted the “stickiness” defect. The most significant defects contributing to the off-flavors in freshly cut apples are “stickiness” (35 %) and a “spicy/chemical” aftertaste (25 %). The source of defects for the ALG and CMC coatings is excessive stickiness, while for the L-C coating, it is a spicy/chemical and sulfurous aftertaste with a pronounced bitterness (L-C 1 %). The use of a 3 % maltodextrin solution was deemed the most appropriate, as it preserves the natural flavor of the apples.