Influence of postharvest processing on the quality and sensory profile of groups of arabica coffee genotypesc.

BACKGROUND: This study combined qualitative and quantitative approaches to obtain a better understanding of the sensory quality of beverages made from Arabic coffee genotypes subjected to different processing methods. Over 3 consecutive years, 270 accessions of Arabic coffee from the germplasm collection of Minas Gerais State, Brazil, were sensorially characterized after dry postharvest processing. At the end of this period, the 26 genotypes with the greatest potential for the production of specialty coffees were subjected to dry and wet processing. Granulometry and sensory quality were evaluated by scoring and describing the sensory profiles of the samples. RESULTS: Adequate management during all postharvest stages maintained the potential coffee quality, regardless of processing. All of the coffees studied were classified as special. There was variation in the perceived nuances of the sensory attributes among the groups of genotypes and as a function of postharvest processing, with emphasis on the increased frequency of high levels of sweetness in wet processing. Among the aroma/flavor sensory attributes, the caramel subcategory, as a long and pleasant aftertaste, were predominant in all of the genotypes studied, regardless of the type of processing. CONCLUSION: The differences in the perceptions of aroma/flavor and aftertaste in different processes were easier to identify in the commercial cultivars studied, as well as in the Bourbon accessions of Timor Hybrid and their derivatives. The access MG 0159 Maragogipe Hybrid F1 stood out in terms of all of the evaluated characteristics, regardless of the processing method used. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phenotypic Plasticity Index as a Strategy for Selecting Water-Stress-Adapted Coffee Genotypes.

The adaptive potential of plants is commonly used as an indicator of genotypes with higher breeding program potential. However, the complexity and interaction of plant metabolic parameters pose a challenge to selection strategies. In this context, this study aimed to explore phenotypic plasticity within the germplasm of Hybrid Timor coffee. Additionally, we assessed the utility of the multivariate phenotypic plasticity index (MVPi) as a promising tool to predict genotype performance across diverse climatic conditions. To achieve this, we evaluated the performance of seven accessions from the Hybrid Timor germplasm in comparison to the Rubi and IPR 100 cultivars, known for their susceptibility and resistance to drought, respectively. The experiment took place in a greenhouse under two conditions: one with normal soil moisture levels near maximum capacity, and the other with a water deficit scenario involving a period of no irrigation followed by rehydration. Data on physiological and biochemical factors were collected at three stages: before applying the water deficit, during its imposition, and after rehydration. Growth data were obtained by the difference between the beginning and end of the experimental period Furthermore, field evaluations of the productivity of the same genotypes were carried out over two consecutive seasons. Based on physiological and biochemical assessments, the MVPi was computed, employing Euclidean distance between principal component multivariate analysis scores. Subsequently, this index was correlated with growth and productivity data through linear regressions. Our findings reveal that the plastic genotypes that are capable of significantly altering physiological and biochemical parameters in response to environmental stimuli exhibited reduced biomass loss in both aerial and root parts. As a result, this positively influenced their productivity. Enhanced plasticity was particularly prominent in accessions from the MG Germplasm Collection: MG 311-Hybrid Timor UFV 428-02, MG 270-Hybrid Timor UFV 377-21, and MG 279-Hybrid Timor UFV 376-31, alongside the Rubi MG 1192 cultivar. The MVPi emerged as a valuable instrument to assess genotype adaptability and predict their performance under varying climatic scenarios.