Assessment of the Bioactive Compounds, Color, and Mechanical Properties of Apricots as Affected by Drying Treatment

Consumer acceptance of dried apricots depends on them having an intense orange color, a gummy texture, and a characteristic flavor. In addition, the growing demand for healthy and nutritive foods has increased the interest in this product, as apricot fruits can be considered a good source of phytoch...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food and bioprocess technology 2013-11, Vol.6 (11), p.3247-3255
Main Authors: García-Martínez, E., Igual, M., Martín-Esparza, M. E., Martínez-Navarrete, N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Air drying
Apricots
Ascorbic acid
Bioactive compounds
Biotechnology
Carotenoids
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Chemistry/Food Science
Color
Drying
Flavor
Food preservation
Food Science
Mechanical properties
Microwaves
Original Paper
Polyphenols
Pretreatment
Sensory evaluation
Sensory properties
Sulfur
Vitamins
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Summary:Consumer acceptance of dried apricots depends on them having an intense orange color, a gummy texture, and a characteristic flavor. In addition, the growing demand for healthy and nutritive foods has increased the interest in this product, as apricot fruits can be considered a good source of phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamins. Microwave energy may be an interesting drying method, an alternative to conventional sun or hot air drying, with which to obtain dried apricots with good sensorial, nutritive, and functional properties in a shorter time. This paper aims to evaluate the effect of sulfur pretreatment and the drying process (hot air and/or microwaves) on the color, mechanical properties, and ascorbic acid, vitamins A and E, and total carotenoid content of apricot. The obtained results mean that the use of microwave energy, either in combination or not with mild–hot air, may be recommended to obtain dried apricots, without needing to apply sulfur pretreatment.
ISSN:1935-5130
1935-5149
DOI:10.1007/s11947-012-0988-1