Quality characteristics of the cv. Albion strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) in different locations

Strawberries are one of the most popular berries in the world due to their distinctive aroma, flavor, and known health properties. A top day-neutral strawberry variety, the Albion, with its potential for high yields of large fruit, was grown in two different locations (Dağdibi and Hamidiye) at different altitudes (1410 and 1293 m) in Pozantı, a district of the Adana province in Türkiye, for late season production. Ripe fruits were harvested during the commercial harvest period, and several important physical and biochemical parameters were examined. In addition, the fruit’s (berry’s) external and flesh color, fruit length and width, soluble solid content (SSC), antioxidant capacity, total phenol and anthocyanin contents, individual sugars, organic acids, and volatile compounds were determined. Among these parameters, external fruit color, fruit width and length, SSC, total anthocyanin, total phenol, and ascorbic acid values showed differences between locations. In Hamidiye, the cv. Albion had the highest values of fruit width (32.04 mm) and total phenol content (51.80 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g). In comparison, fruit length (44.22 mm), total acidity (1.65%), anthocyanin content (33.10 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent per 100 g), and ascorbic acid (53.42 mg/100 g) were higher in Dağdibi. The results indicate that locations at different altitudes affect the fruit’s physical traits and the composition of strawberries.