Changes of Physicochemical and Flavor Components of Ume According to Varieties and Picking Date

매실 품종과 수확 시기에 따른 이화학적 특성과 향기성분의 변화

This study aims to determine the optimal picking time and the favorate variety for Ume processing. The changes of physicochemical components and flavors of 6 varieties of the Ume were investigated during maturing. Average weight of the fruit increased to the range of 151-292% from 70 days to 90 days after blooming. The hardness of fruit decreased during maturing and Koume variety was not suitable for processing among the last harvesting samples. Moisture and ash were reached to 89-91%, 0.57-0.69%, respectively, and the ash content increased during maturing. Among the Ume varieties, relatively high content of total acid was observed in Oshuku and Koume. The major organic acid were malic, citric, succinic, and tartaric acid. The content of malic acid decreased significantly, whereas citric acid increased during maturing. Thirty five kinds of flavor components were identified from the Ume fruit and main components were ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, and organic acid derivatives. Koume contained a large amount of flavor components among the Ume and the content increased during maturing.