Modification of Cell Wall Composition of Apricots (Prunus armeniaca) during Drying and Storage under Modified Atmospheres

Abstract

Fresh apricots (Prunus armeniaca) were treated with Na2S2O5 and acetic acid solutions before dehydration. Dehydrated apricots were stored at 25 °C in five different modified atmospheres (MAs) [100% N2 (N), 20% CO2 and 80% N2 (2C8N), 40% CO2 and 60% N2 (4C6N), 60% CO2 and 40% N2 (6C4N), 100% CO2 (C)]. An additional sample was stored at 25 °C under air. The yield of apricot cell wall material decreased substantially during drying pretreatments and also during dehydration, by 9.5 and 4.7%, respectively. In particular, acetic acid solubilized a large amount of pectic polysaccharides. Further degradation of pectic substances was produced during drying, probably due to the high temperature used. However, MAs retarded browning in comparison to the sample stored under air. The content of SO2 decreased markedly for the sample stored in air, whereas gradual losses were observed for MA samples. In general, samples stored under atmospheres containing relatively low percentages of CO2 (20 and 40%) and N2 showed minor ...