ARS | Publication request: Sensory and Analytical Comparison of Orange-Fleshed Honeydew to Cantaloupe and Green-Fleshed Honeydew for Fresh-Cut Chunks

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: March 24, 2005
Publication Date: June 1, 2005
Citation: Saftner, R.A., Abbott, J.A., Lester, G.E., Vinyard, B.T. 2005. Sensory and analytical comparison of orange-fleshed honeydew to cantaloupe and green-fleshed honeydew for fresh-cut chunks [abstract]. Hortscience. 39:806.

Technical Abstract: Maintaining the sensory, microbial and postharvest quality of fresh-cut fruit after processing and throughout distribution and marketing is a major challenge facing the fresh-cut fruit industry. Fresh-cut chunks of orange-fleshed honeydew ('Honey Gold', 'Orange Dew', 'Temptation') and green-fleshed honeydew ('Honey Brew') and an orange-fleshed cantaloupe ('Cruiser') harvested at commercial maturities were compared after storage for 0 to 11 days in air at 5 'C. Fresh-cut cantaloupe generally had higher respiration and ethylene production rates, aromatic volatile concentrations, beta-carotene, chroma and orange hue than those of honeydew whereas honeydew chunks had the same or higher soluble solids content (SSC), Kramer firmness and microbial quality than cantaloupe chunks. All genotypes had similar ascorbic acid levels. During storage, analytical quality characteristics of fresh-cut chunks from all genotypes were well maintained even though microbial populations increased especially on cantaloupe chunks. Consumers liked the flavor, texture, sweetness and overall eating quality of the orange-fleshed honeydew genotypes as well as or better than those of cantaloupe and green-fleshed honeydew. 'Orange Dew' scored highest in appearance and had the highest beta-carotene concentration, chroma and orange hue among orange-fleshed honeydew genotypes whereas 'Temptation' generally scored highest for flavor intensity and acceptability and overall eating quality. Many individual volatiles were identical in cantaloupe and honeydews; however, orange-fleshed honeydew genotypes, particularly 'Temptation', were distinctive from cantaloupe and green-fleshed honeydew in having relatively high levels of various nonenyl and nonadienyl acetates having honeydew-like or uncharacterized aromas. The results indicate that orange-fleshed honeydews are a promising new melon type for fresh-cut processing.