EFFECT OF DIFFERENT POSTHARVEST TREATMENTS ON KEEPING QUALITY OF APRICOT (Prunus armeniaca L.) PRODUCED IN NORTHERN AREAS OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

Apricot is a highly nutritious fruit with a rich composition of health promoting components with a unique taste. Due to its perishable nature, enormous amounts of fresh produce goes to waste during peak season. In order to reduce the postharvest losses, the present study was designed in three phases. Initially, twelve commonly grown cultivars were characterized for their proximate composition, biochemical attributes, mineral contents and some technological traits. Among the tested cultivars, Habi variety had best physico-chemical and sensory attributes, Jahangir was rich in mineral contents, while Mirmalik had better technological traits. On the basis of overall quality characteristics, Habi variety was selected for the postharvest studies. The second phase was comprised of three experiments. Different concentrations of CaCl2 (1, 2, 3 and 4% w/v), salicylic acid (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mM w/v), polyethylene films of varying densities and wrapping paper as packaging material were applied to determine suitable treatment. Physiological, biochemical and microbial attributes were analyzed at two day interval. Three percent CaCl2 maintained quality attributes with lower microbial load and higher sensory acceptance up to 12 days followed by 2, 4% CaCl2 respectively during ambient storage. Similarly, 2 mM salicylic acid and low density polyethylene film significantly retained all the tested nutritional and biochemical traits. The combined effect of the best selected treatments (3% CaCl2, 2 mM salicylic acid and LDPE packaging with KMnO4) maintained acceptable quality of the fruit up to 18 days at ambient temperature. The present study provides a baseline for the effective postharvest application of calcium chloride and salicylic acid along with polyethylene packaging on apricot in order to reduce losses and increase its availability in the distant markets.