Several sugars and sugar degradation products are capable
of reacting with the pigment components of strawberries
to increase their rate of loss (Francis 1989). Substances
formed during the browning of sugars, such as furfural and
hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), may cause colour loss in
strawberry products. These compounds are capable of reacting
with pelargonidin 3-glucoside forming yellow chalcone
species, which would result in an increase in the hue value
(Yang et al. 2008). Sondheimer and Kertesz (1948a, b) also
reported that colour degradation is proportional to the
amount of sugars present in the strawberries.