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Fruit Produce Facts English
Apricot
Recommendations for Maintaining Postharvest Quality
Carlos H. Crisosto, Elizabeth J. Mitcham, and Adel A. Kader Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis
Maturity & Quality
Maturity IndicesIn California, harvest date is determined by skin ground color changes from green to yellow. The exact yellowish-green color depends on the cultivar. Apricots should be picked when still firm because of their high bruising susceptibility when soft. Most apricot cultivars soften very fast making them very susceptible to bruising and subsequent decay. Quality Indices
Maturity & Quality Photos
Title: Maturity & Ripeness Stages Photo Credit: Don Edwards, UC Davis
Temperature & Controlled Atmosphere
Optimum Temperature-0.5 to 0°C (31-32°F) is recommended. Susceptibility of cultivars to freezing injury depends on SSC, which may vary from 10-14%. Highest freezing point = –1.0°C (30.5°F). Optimum Relative Humidity90 to 95% Rates of Respiration
To calculate heat production, multiply ml CO2/kg·hr by 440 to get BTU/ton/day or by 122 to get kcal/metric ton /day. Rates of Ethylene ProductionEthylene production rates increase with ripening and storage temperature [ Responses to EthyleneExposure to ethylene hastens ripening (as indicated by softening and color changes from green to yellow). Also, ethylene may encourage growth of decay-causing fungi. Responses to Controlled Atmosphere (CA)The major benefits of CA during storage/shipment are to retain fruit firmness and ground color. CA conditions of 2-3% O2 + 2-3% CO2 are suggested for moderate benefits; extent of benefits depends on cultivar. Exposure to <1% O2 may result in development of off-flavors and > 5% CO2 can cause flesh browning and loss of flavor.
Disorders
Physiological and Physical DisordersGel Breakdown or Chilling Injury. This physiological problem is characterized in the earlier stages by the formation of water-soaked areas that subsequently turn brown. Breakdown of tissue is sometimes accompanied by sponginess and gel formation. Fruit stored between 2.2-7.6°C (36-46°F) have short market life and lose flavor. Market life is also related to cultivar. Pathological DisordersBrown Rot. Caused by Monilia fructicola is the most important postharvest disease of apricot. Infection begins during flowering. Fruit rots may occur before harvest, but often occur postharvest. Orchard sanitation to minimize infection sources, pre-harvest fungicide application and prompt cooling after harvest are among the control strategies. Rhizopus Rot. Caused by Rhizopus stolonifer occurs frequently in ripe or near-ripe apricot fruits held at 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F). Cooling the fruit and keeping them below 5°C (41°F) is very effective against this fungus. [For more information, see our publication "Fruit Ripening and Ethylene Management", available for purchase using our Publication order form.] Disorders Photos
Title: Brown Rot Photo Credit: CDFA 
Title: Enzymatic Softening Photo Credit: Don Edwards, UC Davis 
Title: Mechanical Damage Photo Credit: CDFA 
Title: Pit Burn Photo Credit: Don Edwards, UC Davis 
Title: Shot Hole Fungus Photo Credit: CDFA
Date
November 1998 |
Use of Materials
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Except for these specified uses, no part of the textual materials available on the UC Postharvest Technology Center Web site may be copied, downloaded, stored in a retrieval system, further transmitted or otherwise reproduced, stored, disseminated, transferred or used, in any form or by any means, except as permitted herein or with the University of California's prior written agreement. Request permission from UC Postharvest Technology Center. Distribution for commercial purposes is prohibited.
The information in this fact sheet represents our best understanding of the current state of knowledge at the time of the latest update, and does not represent an exhaustive review of all research results. Links to any of these UC Postharvest Technology Center pages are permitted, but no endorsement of the linking site or products mentioned in the linking page is intended or implied by such a link.
How to Cite
Author(s) names. Initial publication or update date (located at the top). Title. Link to the specific Produce Fact Sheet webpage (Accessed date)
Example: Cantwell, M. and T. Suslow. 2002. Lettuce, Crisphead: Recommendations for Maintaining Postharvest Quality.
http://ucanr.edu/sites/Postharvest_Technology_Center_/Commodity_Resources/Fact_Sheets/Datastores/Vegetables_English/?uid=19&ds=799 (Accessed January 18, 2014).
