EVALUATION OF FRUIT QUALITY IN LOQUAT USING BOTH CHEMICAL AND SENSORY ANALYSES

The use of scientific methodologies on fruit quality perception by using both instrumental and sensory analyses has been affirmed and tested on many fruit tree species. Loquat is still little known from a sensory analysis point of view. The aim of this work is to evaluate fruit quality characteristics of some loquat cultivars using both physico-chemical and sensory analyses. The trial was conducted in Palermo, Sicily on 4 cultivars: ‘Bianco Dolce’, ‘BRT20’, ‘Peluche’ and ‘Nespolone di Trabia’. Fruits were analyzed for weight, transversal and longitudinal diameter, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, peel colour and sensory profile by a trained panel. The sensory attributes were correlated with soluble solids content and titratable acidity. Instrumental findings confirmed by sensory results indicate ‘BRT20’ and ‘Peluche’ have the most pleasant taste and balanced aroma.