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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Healthy Processed Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #279786
Title: Fertilization and pesticides affect mandarin orange nutrient composition

Author
item ZHANG, XIAOTIAN - University Of California
item Breksa, Andrew
item MISHCHUK, DARYA - University Of California
item FAKE, CINDY - University Of California
item O'MAHONY, MICHAEL - University Of California
item SLUPSKY, CAROLYN - University Of California

Submitted to: Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/2012
Publication Date: 3/8/2012
Citation: Zhang, X., Breksa III, A.P., Mishchuk, D.0., Fake, C., O'Mahony, M.A., Slupsky, C.M. 2012. Fertilization and pesticides affect mandarin orange nutrient composition. Food Chemistry. 134:1020-1024. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.02.218.

Interpretive Summary: The effects of the application of foliar fertilization and pesticide on nutritional quality of mandarin orange juices were evaluated using 1H NMR metabolomics. Significant differences between the use of fertilizer and pesticides during fruit formation were observed, and included changes in sugar, amino acid and organic acid composition. For 65% of the individuals from a non-trained test panel, the difference in sugar concentration was enough for them to detect. NMR analysis may aid the development of cultivation practices that yield fruit with superior sensory attributes.

Technical Abstract: The effects of the application of foliar fertilization and pesticide on nutritional quality of mandarin orange juices were evaluated using 1H NMR metabolomics. Significant differences between the use of fertilizer and pesticides during fruit formation were observed, and included changes in sugar, amino acid and organic acid composition. To determine whether the difference in sugar concentration was enough for the consumer to detect, a sensory experiment was performed in which two orange juice samples were prepared to resemble the sweet/sour taste balance of juice from mandarin oranges in which foliar fertilization was either applied or not. In a test using non-trained individuals, 65% could correctly identify which juice had a sourer, or less sweet, taste. The implications of this study could impact citrus growers, and ultimately aid in development of fruit with superior sensory quality.