Advances in Sensory Attributes of Horticultural Crops

Dear Colleagues,

Sensory attributes—including aroma, flavor, texture, appearance and overall eating quality—are fundamental determinants of the market value, consumer acceptance and perceived quality of horticultural crops. With recent advances in plant physiology, metabolomics, phenotyping technologies and data-driven sensory analysis, research on sensory traits has rapidly evolved from descriptive evaluation toward mechanistic elucidation and predictive assessment.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for the latest advances in sensory quality research across all categories of horticultural crops, including flowers, vegetables, fruits, tea, coffee, herbal crops and other beverage-related or aromatic crops. Studies addressing sensory attributes at any biological or production stage are welcome. The scope explicitly encompasses preharvest factors, postharvest handling and processing operations, reflecting our recognition that sensory quality is not only shaped during crop production and postharvest stages but is also profoundly influenced by processing and subsequent product transformation.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the physiological and biochemical bases of sensory trait formation; the effects of cultivation practices, environmental conditions, postharvest handling and processing technologies and the integrated application of instrumental analyses (e.g., GC–MS, electronic nose/electronic tongue), sensory science, and phenotyping approaches to identify key drivers of sensory quality.

We particularly welcome cutting-edge research that combines sensory evaluation with omics technologies, phenomics and modeling strategies to elucidate the mechanisms underlying sensory quality and its variability. Original research articles, reviews and methodological papers related to sensory attributes, quality improvement and consumer-oriented evaluation of horticultural crops are all encouraged.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this Special Issue.

Dr. Po-An Chen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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