4. Conclusions
Modified atmosphere allowed higher stability on total antioxidant activity, total phenolic and total anthocyanins content of strawberry purée. Among individual phenolic compounds the most affected by atmospheric conditions were anthocyanins, while catechins and quercetin-rutinoside were the most stable. Anthocyanins decreased at a faster rate for samples stored in air.
The conditions that can be recommended for preservation of nutritional properties during purée strawberry storage are refrigerated temperature conditions (4 °C) and an anaerobic atmosphere (100% N2) since under these conditions the concentration of strawberry colouring polyphenols (anthocyanins) would be higher and compounds like (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, quercetin-3-rutinoside and ellagic acid would be more stable.