A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Temperature, Light Regimes, and Harvest Time Shape the Total Volatile Content and °Brix/Acidity Balance of Strawberry Fruit (Fragaria ananassa cv. Sonsation);




AuthorsSantikko, Meeri; Kelanne, Niina; Yang, Baoru; Sønsteby, Anita; Hykkerud, Anne Linn

PublisherAmerican Chemical Society (ACS)

Publication year2026

Journal: ACS Agricultural Science & Technology

Volume6

Issue7

First page 1170

Last page1184

eISSN2692-1952

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.5c01080

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.5c01080

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/526977018

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

The sensory appeal of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) depends on its chemical composition, including sugars, organic acids, and aroma-active volatiles. To investigate the effects of temperature and light conditions on fruit quality, strawberry plants (cv. Sonsation) were grown at six temperature regimes (9, 12, 15, 18, 21 °C, and 21/9 °C-day/night) and four combinations of light intensities (150 and 300 μmol/m2/s) and photoperiods (12 and 24 h/day). Yield, °Brix/acidity ratio and volatile compounds were assessed. °Brix increased with light intensity and photoperiod, while higher temperatures (15–21 °C) correlated with acidity. A favorable °Brix/acidity ratio correlated with both continuous light and high light intensity, as well as low ripening temperature. Volatile content peaked at 15 °C, and declined at 9 °C, proportionally elevating acids and reducing terpenoids. The findings indicate that extended high-intensity light can optimize sweetness and aroma in cv. Sonsation, whereas low temperatures benefit the °Brix-acidity balance but may reduce volatile compound development.


Downloadable publication

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail. Please cite the original version.




Funding information in the publication
This work was conducted as part of the project "TastyStrawberry", funded by the Norwegian Agricultural Agreement Research Fund/Foundation for Research Levy on Agricultural Products, grant number 336302, and Grofondet, grant number 210048.


Last updated on 07/08/2026 01:17:01 PM