Response of different cultivars of apricots to gamma irradiation under different storage conditions

Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical and phytochemical characteristics of various apricot cultivars (CITH-1, CITH-2, and Tilton) as well as the effect of gamma irradiation on their quality and shelf life. After harvesting at the pre-climacteric stage from the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, J & K (UT), apricot cultivars were gamma-irradiated in the dosage range of 0.25–1.0 kGy at the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Srinagar, and then stored at ambient temperature (25 ± 2 °C, RH 70–80%) and refrigerated temperature (3 ± 1 °C, RH 80–85%). The apricots were evaluated for their physicochemical and phytochemical composition. According to the HPLC analysis, the total polyphenol content of the cultivars differed significantly (p < 0.05), with Tilton having the highest total phenolic acid concentration of 5.85 mg/kg FW, followed by CITH-1 (5.14 mg/kg FW) and CITH-2 (3.25 mg/kg FW). In terms of lower weight loss, inhibition of enzyme activity, colour values, and maintaining quality and extending storage stability, irradiation at 0.25 kGy and 0.5 kGy was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) more effective than 0.75 kGy and 1.0 kGy. At dose levels of 0.5 kGy and 0.75 kGy, gamma irradiation was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) efficient in maintaining the firmness and bio-yield point without affecting overall acceptability. However, the 1.0 kGy dosage was found to be ineffective in delaying the occurrence of fruit rot and prolonging shelf life in both ambient and refrigerated storage. Thus, low-dose gamma radiation in the range of 0.25 kGy–0.75 kGy can be used to improve the quality and shelf life of apricots while also enhancing their therapeutic constituents intact for up to 21 days at ambient storage and 42 days under refrigerated conditions.