Changes in the volatile profi le of ‘Fantasia’ nectarines [ Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, var. nectarina] treated with an enhanced freshness formulation (EFF) containing hexanal

Postharvest technologies play a key role in enhancing shelf life and maintaining quality characteristics of tender fruits, suchas nectarines ( Prunus persica [L.] Batsch var. nectarina). This research investigated the eff ects of an enhanced freshnessformulation (EFF), containing hexanal as the key ingredient, in enhancing the shelf life of fi eld grown nectarines and itseff ects on the composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). ‘Fantasia’ nectarine fruits at two commercial orchards inthe Niagara region were subject to preharvest sprays of 2% EFF (15 and 7 days preharvest) and stored at ambient conditions(25 °C) with volatile analyses conducted at 0, 3, 5, 7, and 11 days postharvest. The volatile analysis study indicated for thefi rst time that hexanal is naturally present in nectarine fruit. This was confi rmed by GC–MS analysis and validated withstandards. GC–EIMS analyses of targeted VOCs validated with standards indicated reduced levels of VOCs associated withfruit ripening and fruity odor, such as lactones, in hexanal-treated fruit, and an increased level of C6 compounds associatedwith unripe fruit. Principal component analysis biplot with scores and loadings of the fruit VOCs and quality parametersindicated a tight association between TSS and lactones, which was inversely associated with fi rmness, ground color, acetates,and ester compounds. Pearson correlation coeffi cients also indicated a very high positive correlation between hexanal andlevels of VOCs, such as 1-hexanol, E-2-hexanal, 3-hexanal, hexen-1-ol, and other C6 acetates. These fi ndings may indicatea delay in the ripening process caused by hexanal formulation, which may be associated with modulated expression of keyripening-related volatile pathways, therefore enhancing the shelf life and quality of nectarines. KCI Citation Count: 0