Sun-Drying and Melatonin Treatment Effects on Apricot Color, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant Properties
Post-harvest deterioration of fruit quality represents a significant challenge in the dried fruit industry, particularly affecting the preservation of nutritional compounds and sensory attributes during the drying process. This research examined the potential protective effects of exogenous melatoni...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Rukiye Zengin Yılmaz Uğur Yasemin Levent Selim Erdoğan Harlene Hatterman-Valenti Ozkan Kaya |
| author_facet | Rukiye Zengin Yılmaz Uğur Yasemin Levent Selim Erdoğan Harlene Hatterman-Valenti Ozkan Kaya |
| author_sort | Rukiye Zengin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Post-harvest deterioration of fruit quality represents a significant challenge in the dried fruit industry, particularly affecting the preservation of nutritional compounds and sensory attributes during the drying process. This research examined the potential protective effects of exogenous melatonin supplementation on the preservation of selected quality metrics and antioxidant characteristics in sun-dried apricots, utilizing a comparative analysis across disparate melatonin concentrations (10, 100, and 1000 µM). Our research findings demonstrated that melatonin treatment, particularly at 100 µM concentration, significantly enhanced quality preservation in sun-dried apricots. Specifically, the treatment resulted in improved color retention (increased L*, a*, and b* values), reduced oxidative stress markers (MDA and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>), and optimized sugar composition (glucose: 18.99 g/100 g, fructose: 12.58 g/100 g, sucrose: 15.52 g/100 g). The melatonin treatment at 100 µM concentration proved particularly effective, revealing the most significant results. Specifically, this concentration resulted in the highest β-carotene levels, reaching 223.07 mg/kg. These findings suggest promising applications for commercial-scale implementation through either dipping or spraying methods. The non-toxic nature of melatonin and its demonstrated efficacy in preserving fruit quality parameters position it as a valuable post-harvest treatment option in the fruit supply chain. This research contributes significantly to advancing sustainable post-harvest preservation strategies, though further investigation into melatonin stability and standardization of application protocols remains necessary for optimal commercial implementation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-44a351d7cfbd48bf96f9a325f97f458a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-44a351d7cfbd48bf96f9a325f97f458a2025-01-24T13:19:37ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-0115250810.3390/app15020508Sun-Drying and Melatonin Treatment Effects on Apricot Color, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant PropertiesRukiye Zengin0Yılmaz Uğur1Yasemin Levent2Selim Erdoğan3Harlene Hatterman-Valenti4Ozkan Kaya5Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, Apricot Research Institute, 44090 Malatya, TürkiyeHealth Services Vocational School, Inonu University, 44280 Malatya, TürkiyeRepublic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, Apricot Research Institute, 44090 Malatya, TürkiyePharmacy Faculty, Inonu University, 44280 Malatya, TürkiyeDepartment of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USADepartment of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USAPost-harvest deterioration of fruit quality represents a significant challenge in the dried fruit industry, particularly affecting the preservation of nutritional compounds and sensory attributes during the drying process. This research examined the potential protective effects of exogenous melatonin supplementation on the preservation of selected quality metrics and antioxidant characteristics in sun-dried apricots, utilizing a comparative analysis across disparate melatonin concentrations (10, 100, and 1000 µM). Our research findings demonstrated that melatonin treatment, particularly at 100 µM concentration, significantly enhanced quality preservation in sun-dried apricots. Specifically, the treatment resulted in improved color retention (increased L*, a*, and b* values), reduced oxidative stress markers (MDA and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>), and optimized sugar composition (glucose: 18.99 g/100 g, fructose: 12.58 g/100 g, sucrose: 15.52 g/100 g). The melatonin treatment at 100 µM concentration proved particularly effective, revealing the most significant results. Specifically, this concentration resulted in the highest β-carotene levels, reaching 223.07 mg/kg. These findings suggest promising applications for commercial-scale implementation through either dipping or spraying methods. The non-toxic nature of melatonin and its demonstrated efficacy in preserving fruit quality parameters position it as a valuable post-harvest treatment option in the fruit supply chain. This research contributes significantly to advancing sustainable post-harvest preservation strategies, though further investigation into melatonin stability and standardization of application protocols remains necessary for optimal commercial implementation.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/508H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>dried apricotMDAmelatoninoxidative stresscolor |
| spellingShingle | Rukiye Zengin Yılmaz Uğur Yasemin Levent Selim Erdoğan Harlene Hatterman-Valenti Ozkan Kaya Sun-Drying and Melatonin Treatment Effects on Apricot Color, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant Properties Applied Sciences H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> dried apricot MDA melatonin oxidative stress color |
| title | Sun-Drying and Melatonin Treatment Effects on Apricot Color, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant Properties |
| title_full | Sun-Drying and Melatonin Treatment Effects on Apricot Color, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant Properties |
| title_fullStr | Sun-Drying and Melatonin Treatment Effects on Apricot Color, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant Properties |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sun-Drying and Melatonin Treatment Effects on Apricot Color, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant Properties |
| title_short | Sun-Drying and Melatonin Treatment Effects on Apricot Color, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant Properties |
| title_sort | sun drying and melatonin treatment effects on apricot color phytochemical and antioxidant properties |
| topic | H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> dried apricot MDA melatonin oxidative stress color |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/508 |
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