Enthalpy changes were also used on thermogram analysis. Enthalpy variations are observed for both transitions
along time. The three fruit regions showed similar profile patterns, being only different in the intensity of the changes. Fig. 2 presents the textural evolution and enthalpy variations of the apples along time. There seems to exist some relationship between enthalpies variation pattern and texture evolution profile. A significant increase in enthalpy values during first storage stage (two weeks) can be observed, this increase being higher for E1 of the peel (variation of about 55 J/g). This change in enthalpy values may be related to the breakdown of pectic substances. During the same period, a significant decrease in texture, that is only observed after one month (3 N), was not observed. In this respect, a decrease in the enthalpy values was observed in the 3rd week, mainly on E2 of the pulp (103 J/g). This effect may probably be due to an increment on sugar consumption (a decrease of about 4 g/100g both in sucrose and fructose content), expressing an increase in the respiratory rate accompanied by texture softening.