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Title: FLAVOR QUALITIES OF FROZEN SWEETCORN ARE AFFECTED BY GENOTYPES AND PEROXIDASE ACTIVITY

Author
item Collins, Julie
item BILES, C - EAST CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
item Wann, Elbert
item Perkins Veazie, Penelope
item MANESS, N - OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/24/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Frozen corn-on-the-cob of 'Florida Staysweet' (Sh2), 'Merit' (Su1) and 'Bodacious' (Su1/Se), blanched and unblanched was subjected to sensory evaluation and peroxidase analysis following frozen storage of up to 12 months. Taste panelists rated the unblanched Sh2 and Su1/Se corn as acceptable up to 8 months of frozen storage. Total peroxidase activity did not increase after 12 months of storage and was not a good indicator of flavor changes. Peroxidase isozymes did change after 12 months in su1 corn and may be used as possible marker for off-flavor development in frozen corn.

Technical Abstract: Tissues in internodes in sweet corn (Zea mays L.) at fresh market harvest exhibit various stages of senescence. This study was conducted to determine if internode senescence is an indicator of mineral content in internodes. On 2, 19, and 30 April and 14 May 1993, seeds of standard sugary (su), sugary enhancer (heterozygous, Sese; homozygous, sese), and shrunken2 (sh2) sweet corn cultivars were sown at Lane, Okla., in a Bernow fine-loamy (siliceous, thermic Glossic Paleudalf) soil. At fresh market harvest senescence rating and amounts of Kjeldahl nitrogen (N), nitrate-N (NO**3), nitrite-N (NO**2), Kjeldahl phosphorus (P), phosphate (PO**4), potassium (K), sulfate (SO**4), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) in internodes near the base of the stalk, subtending the ear, and between the ear node and the tassel were determined. Senescence ratings were higher as planting date was later and internodes were higher on the stalk. Senescence ratings were different for genotypes. About 0.3% of N was NO2 and NO3, and approximately 30% of P was PO**4). As planting date was later N and Na content decreased. Lowest P, and highest K, content was in plants sown on 30 April. Content of N was not changed, P increased, and those of K and Na decreased as internodes were higher on the stalk. Contents of N, P and K were significantly different for genotypes. Mineral contents were not significantly correlated with senescence ratings in internodes.