title: Pomological and nutraceutical properties in apricot fruit: cultivation systems and cold storage fruit management.
abstract: We have investigated the effect of cultivation systems and fruit post-harvest management on the antioxidant properties of apricot fruits. Trees of five cultivars 'Tyrinthos', 'Cafona', 'Bella d'Italia', 'Vitillo' and 'Pellecchiella' were cultivated under integrated and organic systems. Fruits were collected at full maturity stage and analyzed either immediately or after storage at 4+/-0.5 degrees C and 85% of relative humidity for seven and 14 days. The main pomological traits (weight, colour, flesh firmness, total soluble sugars, titratable acidity) and antioxidant properties were analyzed. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC by TEAC method), total phenols content (TP by Folin-Ciocalteu method) and carotenoid content by HPLC-DAD were monitored. Cultivar characterization by principal component analysis (PCA) indicated a large variability on pomological and antioxidant properties of apricot fruits. 'Bella d'Italia' showed better TAC and TP values compared to the other cultivars. ANOVA interactions between cultivar and cultivation system (organic/integrated) were found for the antioxidant properties. These interactions may help to select a set of genotypes with better performances under organic system, which in our study might be indicated in 'Cafona' and 'Bella d'Italia'.
authors.affiliation: Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna di Studi Universitari e di Perfezionamento, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy. a.leccese@sssup.it
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leccese
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bureau
authors.forename: Maryse
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.forename: M G C Catherine
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Renard
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Audergon
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mennone
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bartolini
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Viti
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D005519:Food Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D005524:Food Technology; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards*; D005838:Genotype; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002338:Carotenoids