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); 
Authors: Santikko, Meeri; Kelanne, Niina; Yang, Baoru; Sønsteby, Anita; Hykkerud, Anne Linn
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Publication year: 2026
Journal: ACS Agricultural Science & Technology
Volume: 6
Issue: 7
First page : 1170
Last page: 1184
eISSN: 2692-1952
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.5c01080
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open 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 address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/526977018
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
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.
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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.