PTR-MS real time monitoring of the emission of volatile organic compounds during postharvest aging of berryfruit

A. never method, based on proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-M S) was used to monitor the postharvest aging of strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and white and red currants by real time detectio n of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the headspace of the fruits. The observed intensities of emission for the different identified compounds, an d their ratios as well, as their rate of evolution, showed definite, berry- specific, behaviour. Very high sensitivity (sub-ppb level) combined with re al time detection of a large variety of compounds makes PTR-MS very promisi ng for studies dealing with quality assessment and preservation of fruits. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.