Study on antioxidant activity and quality of different pears during storage

To study the changes of antioxidant activity and quality of different pears during storage, antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging capacity, antioxidant substances content and quality of six cultivars of pear (Conference, Cascade, Whangkeumbae, Wonhwang, Jingbai and Ya-pear) were investigated. Results indicated that antioxidant activity of European pear was higher than Asian pear, and antioxidant activity of Conference pear was higher than Cascade. And firmness, soluble solids and reducing sugar content of European pear was higher than Asian pear. Antioxidant activity of different pears showed a trend of increase after decrease during storage, and VCcontent decreased significantly. The firmness, soluble solids content and antioxidant substances content of Conference pear were higher than others, especially the total phenol content.