This paper offers thefirst data in the literature about the effect
of hyperbaric storage at room temperature on the volatile profile
of a homogenized fruit product. The results obtained clearly
showed that pressure avoided spoilage of samples stored at 20
C
for 15 days. Moreover, hyperbaric storage was more efficient than
refrigeration in maintaining the volatile profile of strawberry
juices unaltered for 15 days, and thus samples stored under
pressure were more similar to control juices at day 0. In fact, no
changes in any key aroma compound were detected after hyperbaric storage. Nevertheless, sensory analyses are needed to test
whether the differences observed would be detectable by human
perception.
The results obtained in this paper offer encouraging new data
for the characterization of hyperbaric storage of food at room
temperature. This new environmentally friendly technology could
provide an interesting opportunity to reduce energy costs in food
preservation. However, much more research is needed (microbial
behavior and enzymatic activities under pressure, stability of
bioactive compounds, capital and operating costs, among other
things) to establish its real potential.