Study on antioxidant activity and quality of Pyrus communis L. during shelf-life

The objective of the study was to clarify the changes of antioxidant activity and quality of Pyrus communis L. during shelf-life. Antioxidant activity,free radical scavenging capacity,antioxidant substances content,quality and enzymes activity of Pyrus communis L. cv. Conference and Cascade during shelf-life were investigated. Results indicated that antioxidant activity of Conference showed a trend of increase after decrease during shelf-life. By contrast,antioxidant activity of Cascade showed a trend of decrease after increase during shelf-life. And antioxidant activity of Conference was higher than Cascade. The change of total phenol content was basically in antioxidant activity,and VCcontent decreased significantly. The total phenol and VCcontent of Conference was higher than Cascade. The hardness,soluble solids and reducing sugar content of Conference were higher than Cascade at 6d of shelf-life,but titratable acid content was conversely. Conference maintained lower PPO activity and higher POD activity than Cascade during shelf-life. In conclusion,antioxidant activity,quality and enzyme activity of Conference were better than Cascade.