The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the physicochemical, nutritional and microbial quality of acidified Granny Smith (GS) apple purée processed on industrial-scale high pressure system during 3 weeks of refrigerated storage (5 °C±1 °C). Two commercially feasible pressure treatments (400 and 600 MPa/5min/
20 °C) and a mild conventional pasteurization at 75 °C/10 min, with pasteurization values of P70°C 7.5 =8.15min, were conducted and their effect on total vitamin C (total Vit C), ascorbic acid (AA) and total phenolic content (TPP), and on instrumental quality parameters (color, viscosity, soluble solids, titratable acidity and pH) were
comparatively studied. Inactivation of indigenousmicroorganisms (total aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic counts and moulds and yeasts) of the apple product was also studied and monitored during storage. Total Vit C and AA contents were unaffected by the 400 MPa and the mild pasteurization treatment. TPP content was not changed during processing at 400 MPa, but was affected by the 600 MPa and also slightly by the pasteurization treatment. Experimental data on the loss of total Vit C during storage were described with a first-order reaction kinetic and times of half loss between 9.3 to 10.3 days could be estimated for the three studied processes. Storage provoked loss of TPP content and color deterioration of pressurized GS puree samples, which was attributed to enzymatic browning reactions. Microbial counts were reduced by the different preservation techniques below the detection limit (50 cfu g−1) and storage revealed no further growth.