Influence of electrohydrodynamics on the drying characteristics, microstructure and volatile composition of apricot abalone mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii).

The study explored the use of current fluid dynamics drying technology for apricot abalone mushroom, examining how different output voltages (15, 25, and 35 kV) affected drying characteristics, microstructure, and volatile components. Comparisons were made with samples dried using hot air drying (HAD) and natural air drying (AD). Results revealed that HAD had the fastest drying rate at 0.29664(g·h-1). However, apricot abalone mushroom treated with electrohydrodynamic drying (EHD) maintained a color closer to fresh samples, exhibited a 21% increase in the ordered structure of protein secondary structure, a 12.5-fold increase in bound water content, and the most stable cell structure compared to HAD and AD treatments. A total of 83 volatile organic compounds were identified in the apricot abalone mushroom, with alcohols and aldehydes being the most prominent in terms of threshold and relative content, peaking in the 35 kV treatment group. These findings provide both experimental and theoretical insights into applying current fluid dynamics for drying apricot abalone mushroom.

Optimization and characterization of aqueous enzyme-assisted solvent extraction of apricot kernel oil.

Abstract: Aqueous enzyme-assisted solvent extraction (AE-SE) of oil from apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernel was investigated in this study and the operational parameters were optimized. After preliminary screening, a cocktail of enzymes (Celluclast 1.5 L and Alcalase Pure 2.4 L [60:40, v/v)] of 1% (v/w) was chosen. The extraction process parameters: temperature (40-60 °C), time (1-5 h), and pH (4-9) were optimized using Box-Behnken design to achieve the highest oil yield (%) and antioxidant activity (DPPH, %). Under optimized conditions, i.e., temperature 40 °C, time 2.5 h, and pH 8.28, the highest oil yield and DPPH were 47.93% and 67.31%, respectively. The gas chromatography analysis disclosed that apricot kernel oil extracted by solvent extraction and AE-SE have similar fatty acid compositions, and the oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids. The physicochemical analysis showed AE-SE method produces high-quality oil and can be substituted as green technology for industrial oil extraction purposes.

Screening and preparation of highly active antioxidant peptides of apricot and their inhibitory effect on ultraviolet radiation.

In today's social environment, the objective reality of people's increasing life pressure, environmental deterioration, and enhanced ultraviolet rays caused by the destruction of the ozone layer has led to the aggravation of people's oxidative stress. Therefore, exogenous antioxidant peptides have become a hot topic in research. In the context of insufficient protein supply and resource recycling, almond meal was used as raw material in this study. As a by-product of oil processing, it has a protein content of 68 % and antioxidant-related amino acids accounted for 84.62 %, which can be used as a high-quality natural source of antioxidant peptides. Taking antioxidant activity as the only indicator, papain was screened as a hydrolase, and 7 antioxidant peptides such as YLSF, LPSYVN and SPHWNVN were separated and purified. The affinity energy of docking with Keap1-Nrf2-ARE protein molecules was -7.5--8.9 kal/mol, and hydrophobic stacking, hydrogen bonding and intermolecular forces were maintained. Seven antioxidant peptides were synthesized in solid phase, and the IC50 values of in vitro ABTS+ scavenging rates were 3.59 µg/mL-6.73 µg/mL, and the antioxidant capacity was stronger than that of glutathione and ascorbic acid. In the in vitro cellular ROS scavenging capacity, all seven peptides had the effect of scavenging intracellular ROS, among which YLSF and ESWNPRDPQF had stronger scavenging capacity than glutathione. Finally, the mouse skin staining method determined that apricot antioxidant peptides had a significant inhibitory effect on UV damage to mouse skin, and targeted proteomics was used to clarify that apricot antioxidant peptides inhibited UV damage by mainly affecting three pathways, including the base excision repair pathway. This study not only improved the economic value of processing by-products, but also obtained 7 highly active almond antioxidant peptides, tapping the potential ability of apricot antioxidant peptides to be incorporated into functional food or cosmetic formulations.

Structural analyses of apricot pectin polysaccharides.

Apricot pectin polysaccharides' fine structure was performed using HPSEC, HPAEC-PAD, GC-MS, NMR and FTIR spectroscopies. Purified pectin fraction (F1AP) was composed of D-galacturonic acid, L-rhamnose, D-arabinose and D-galactose, Mw âˆ¼ 1588 kDa. F1AP was eluted by water and with 0.2 M NaCl from DEAE Sepharose fraction resulting in two distinct fractions, F1AP1 and F1AP6, with different structures, molecular weights, and conformations, providing insights into their structural diversity. F1AP1 neutral properties were related to its association with protein. F1AP1 had a backbone of (1 â†’ 4)-linked-D-galacturonic acid and (1 â†’ 2)-linked-L-rhamnopyranosyl residues branched with arabinogalactan including multiple glycosidic linkages of T-α-Araf, 3-α-Araf, 5-α-Araf, T-α-Arap, 2-α-Arap, t-Galp, 2-Galp, 3-Galp, 4-Galp, 6-Galp, 2,4-Galp, 3,4-Galp, 3,6-Galp and 4,6-Galp side chains, having methyl and acetylated groups, and a high molecular weight (1945 kDa). The Mark-Houwink exponent was 0.276, indicating a compact spherical conformation. While the other F1AP6 fraction consists predominately of less methylated HG regions of pectin polysaccharides. The molar mass of this fraction was 117.5 kDa, which adopted a stiffer and random coil conformation. This knowledge allows us to evaluate how the balance of chemical structure and physical properties of the two pectin domains may manifest itself in the isolated structure of apricot pectin and its applications.

Analgesic effect of apricot kernel oil on neuropathic pain in rats.

Background: A somatosensory nerve lesion or disease causes neuropathic pain. Presently, prescribed treatments are unsatisfactory or ineffective. The kernel oil of the apricot tree (Prunus armeniaca L) is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study investigated the effect of apricot kernel oil in chronic constriction injury (CCI)- induced neuropathic pain in rats. Materials/Methods: Liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESIMS) analysis was carried out to gain a deeper understanding of the apricot kernel oil's main compounds. Rats were treated daily with apricot kernel oil (2 and 4 ml/kg) or gabapentin (100 mg/kg) for 14 days after CCI induction. Hot plate, acetone drop, and Von Frey hair tests were performed to evaluate thermal and mechanical activity. Spinal cord malondialdehyde (MDA), total thiol, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels were assessed to measure biochemical changes. Results: The most detected compounds in apricot kernel oil were lipids and fatty acids. CCI produced a significant increase in thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, and cold allodynia. Moreover, CCI increased the inflammation and oxidative stress markers in spinal cord samples. Oral administration of apricot kernel oil and gabapentin significantly decreased the CCI-induced nociceptive pain threshold. Besides, spinal cord biochemical changes were attenuated. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that apricot kernel oil could attenuate neuropathic pain, possibly through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Monitoring Fruit Growth and Development in Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) through Gene Expression Analysis.

The main objective of this study was to monitor apricot development and ripening through gene expression analysis of key candidate genes using the RT-qPCR technique. Eight apricot cultivars were selected to analyze phenological and genetic patterns from pre-ripening stages through to postharvest. In addition, 19 selected genes were analyzed in the contrasting cultivars 'Cebas Red' and 'Rojo Pasión' in different stages (two preharvest stages S1 and S2, one harvest stage S3, and two postharvest stages S4 and S5). This pool of genes included genes related to fruit growth and ripening, genes associated with fruit color, and genes linked to the fruit's nutraceutical aspects. Among the studied genes, Polygalacturonase (PG), Pectin methylesterase (PME), Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS), and Myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (INO1) were directly related to fruit maturation and quality. Significant differential expression was observed between the cultivars, which correlated with variations in firmness, shelf life, and sensory characteristics of the apricots. 'Rojo Pasión' displayed high levels of PG, associated with rapid maturation and shorter postharvest shelf life, whereas 'Cebas Red' exhibited lower levels of this gene, resulting in greater firmness and extended shelf life. Genes CCD4, CRTZ, and ZDS, related to carotenoids, showed varied expression patterns during growth and postharvest stages, with higher levels in 'Rojo Pasión'. On the other hand, Sucrose synthase (SUSY) and Lipoxygenase (LOX2) were prominent during the postharvest and growth stages, respectively. Additionally, GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase (VTC2_5) was linked to better postharvest performance. This research provides valuable insights for future breeding initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality and sustainability of apricot cultivation.

The Effect of High-Temperature Heating on Amounts of Bioactive Compounds and Antiradical Properties of Refined Rapeseed Oil Blended with Rapeseed, Coriander and Apricot Cold-Pressed Oils.

Cold-pressed oils are rich sources of bioactive substances, which may protect triacylglycerols from degradation during frying. Nevertheless, these substances may decompose under high temperature. This work considers the content of bioactive substances in blends and their changes during high-temperature heating. Blends of refined rapeseed oil with 5% or 25% in one of three cold-pressed oils (rapeseed, coriander and apricot) were heated at 170 or 200 °C in a thin layer on a pan. All non-heated blends and cold-pressed oils were tested for fatty acid profile, content and composition of phytosterols, tocochromanols, chlorophyll and radical scavenging activity (RSA) analyzed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Moreover, the stability of phytosterols, tocochromanols, DPPH and ABTS values was determined in heated blends. All tocochromanols were lost during the heating process, in particular, at 200 °C. However, there were some differences between homologues. α-Tocopherol and δ-tocopherol were the most thermolabile and the most stable, respectively. Phytosterols were characterized by very high stability at both temperatures. We observed relationships between ABTS and DPPH values and contents of total tocochromanols and α-tocopherol. The obtained results may be useful in designing a new type of fried food with improved health properties and it may be the basis for further research on this topic.

Acute cyanide intoxication due to apricot seed ingestion. / Intoxicación aguda por cianuro debido a ingestión de semillas de damasco.

Introduction: Cyanide poisoning, whether it be accidental or intentional, remains a significant danger to adults and children, especially in societies where agriculture is a primary source of income. We examined the clinical follow-up, complications, and results of cyanide poisoning cases that occurred after eating the pits and seeds of plants containing cyanide glycosides, such as apricot kernels and almonds. Methods: Between 01/01/2017 and 01/08/2022, 14 children aged 1-18 years who were followed up with a prediagnosis of cyanide poisoning in our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) were retrospectively analysed. Results: Eight of the patients followed with a preliminary diagnosis of cyanide poisoning were female and six were male. The most common admission month was July (42.8%) coinciding with the agricultural season. The most common symptoms at presentation were weakness and fatigue (n = 7). In the PICU, 4 patients presented lip cyanosis; 3, altered level of consciousness. Vomiting, seizure, headache, dizziness and palpitatons were less frequent. Four patients were treated with hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit®) as an antidote due to acidosis in their blood gases. All patients treated for cyanide poisoning were discharged. Conclusions: Cyanide poisoning should be considered in paediatric patients with suspicious findings, sudden loss of consciousness, increased anion gap acidosis and lactic acidosis. The history of eating the seeds of plants such as apricot and almonds should be investigated.

Introducción. La intoxicación por cianuro, sea accidental o intencional, es un peligro importante para adultos y niños, en especial en las comunidades donde la agricultura es la fuente principal de ingresos. Se describe la evolución clínica, complicaciones y resultados de casos de intoxicación por cianuro ocurridos luego de ingerir carozos y semillas de plantas que contienen glicósidos de cianuro, como los carozos de damasco y las almendras amargas. Población y métodos. Se incluyeron todos los niños de 1-18 años de edad que ingresaron a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP), con el diagnóstico presuntivo de intoxicación por cianuro, entre el 1 de enero de 2017 y el 8 de enero de 2022. Sus datos se analizaron retrospectivamente. Resultados. Se analizaron 14 pacientes de los cuales 8 eran mujeres. El mes con más ingresos fue julio (42,8 %) en coincidencia con la estación de mayor actividad agrícola. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron debilidad y fatiga (n = 7). Durante la internación, 4 pacientes presentaron cianosis y 3 tuvieron alteración del nivel de conciencia. Fue menos frecuente la presencia de vómitos, convulsiones, cefaleas, mareos y palpitaciones. En 4 pacientes se indicó hidroxocobalamina como antídoto por presentar acidosis en el estudio de gases en sangre. Todos los pacientes fueron dados de alta. Conclusiones. La intoxicación por cianuro debería considerarse en pacientes pediátricos con hallazgos sospechosos, pérdida brusca de conocimiento, acidosis con brecha aniónica aumentada y acidosis láctica. Se debería investigar el antecedente de ingestión de damascos y almendras amargas.

The effect of free and encapsulated probiotic bacteria on some physicochemical, microbiological, and textural properties of apricot leather (pestil) during storage.

Pestil, also known as fruit leather, has emerged as a promising non-dairy carrier for probiotics, utilizing apricots and incorporating probiotics into its formulation. This study aimed to develop a healthy snack bar by incorporating three distinct strains of probiotic bacteria, both in free and encapsulated forms, into the recipe of apricot leather. The physicochemical, bioactive, microbiological, and textural attributes of the resulting apricot pestils were evaluated over a 120-day storage period. Fluctuations in pH (4.74-4.97) were observed during storage, whereas water activity (0.31-0.45) and moisture content (8.05%-13.40%) exhibited a decreasing trend over time. Incorporating free or encapsulated bacteria resulted in a darker surface, attributed to the intermolecular interactions between probiotics and the pestil matrix. The initial total phenolic content was highest and declined significantly during storage (52.13-291.73 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g) (p < 0.05). Viability was found to be higher in the encapsulated forms of bacteria at the conclusion of the storage period. Overall, apricot pestil emerged as a promising matrix for viable probiotics, facilitating their delivery and hosting in both free and encapsulated forms during storage.

Optimised Formulation of a New Sweet Apricot Kernel-Enriched Yoghurt: Assessment of Physicochemical, Sensory and Antioxidant Properties.

Research background: The addition of sweet apricot kernel powder, a by-product of apricot processing, to yoghurt appears to be particularly interesting option for the innovation of new food products. This study focuses on the formulation of a novel yoghurt enriched with sweet apricot kernel powder, sugar and milk powder. Experimental approach: Different yoghurts were prepared by mixing sweet apricot kernel powder, sugar and milk powder as ingredients based on the simplex-centroid mixture design. The optimisation process took into account the physicochemical, antioxidant and sensory properties of the yoghurt. Results and conclusions: The results showed that the optimum values of sugar, milk powder and apricot kernel powder were 3.07, 2.16 and 2.77 %, respectively. The physicochemical assays showed that the addition of apricot kernel powder led to a significant increase in total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, syneresis, viscosity and acidity. The addition of sugar and milk powder also had a significant effect on the taste, texture and consistency of the yoghurt. Moreover, the enrichment of the product with apricot kernel powder significantly influenced the colour, odour, taste, texture and consistency. In conclusion, the optimised yoghurt enriched with apricot kernel had an interesting phenolic content and antioxidant properties with sensory acceptability, while reducing the amount of sugar and milk powder. This confirms the potential of using sweet apricot kernels as an ingredient in yoghurt production. Novelty and scientific contribution: The use of a simplex-centroid mixture design to optimise a new yoghurt formulation enriched with sweet apricot kernels shows significant improvements in total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and sensory acceptability. In addition, less sugar and milk powder is needed. The addition of sweet apricot kernels to yoghurt is therefore a new approach to improving its nutritional value and sensory appeal.

Evaluation of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and bioactive properties and peptide sequence composition of Malatya apricot kernels.

BACKGROUND: This study used four different apricot (Prunus armeniaca) kernels cultivated in Malatya during two consecutive years. The varieties were Hacihaliloglu, Hasanbey, Kabaasi, and Zerdali. The physicochemical properties of the kernels were determined, and the bioactive content of the kernels was evaluated using kernel hydrolysates prepared using trypsin. RESULTS: With regard to the physicochemical properties of the kernels, the dry matter ratio and protein content were the highest in the Hacihaliloglu variety; the ash ratio was the highest in the Kabaasi variety, and the free oil ratio was the highest in the Hasanbey variety. The bioactive compound content changed according to kernel variety. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors activity was found to be the highest in the Hacihaliloglu and Hasanbey varieties, which had the lowest amygdalin content, and Zerdali had the highest amygdalin content. The antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of the kernels varied, with Hasanbey and Kabaasi generally having the highest content in both analyses. Moreover, a concentration of 20 mg mL-1 of the hydrolysate was determined to have a destructive effect for the microorganisms used in this study. The storage protein of the kernels, except Hacihaliloglu, was found to be Prunin 1, with the longest matching protein chain in the kernels being R.QQQGGQLMANGLEETFCSLRLK.E. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the peptide sequences identified in the kernels could have antihypertensive, antioxidative, and Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory effects. Consequently, apricot kernels show potential for use in the production of functional food products. Of the kernels evaluated in this study, Hacihaliloglu and Hasanbey were deemed the most suitable varieties due to their higher bioactive content and lower amygdalin content. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Implementation and Evaluation of Spatial Attention Mechanism in Apricot Disease Detection Using Adaptive Sampling Latent Variable Network.

In this study, an advanced method for apricot tree disease detection is proposed that integrates deep learning technologies with various data augmentation strategies to significantly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of disease detection. A comprehensive framework based on the adaptive sampling latent variable network (ASLVN) and the spatial state attention mechanism was developed with the aim of enhancing the model's capability to capture characteristics of apricot tree diseases while ensuring its applicability on edge devices through model lightweighting techniques. Experimental results demonstrated significant improvements in precision, recall, accuracy, and mean average precision (mAP). Specifically, precision was 0.92, recall was 0.89, accuracy was 0.90, and mAP was 0.91, surpassing traditional models such as YOLOv5, YOLOv8, RetinaNet, EfficientDet, and DEtection TRansformer (DETR). Furthermore, through ablation studies, the critical roles of ASLVN and the spatial state attention mechanism in enhancing detection performance were validated. These experiments not only showcased the contributions of each component for improving model performance but also highlighted the method's capability to address the challenges of apricot tree disease detection in complex environments. Eight types of apricot tree diseases were detected, including Powdery Mildew and Brown Rot, representing a technological breakthrough. The findings provide robust technical support for disease management in actual agricultural production and offer broad application prospects.

Novel phages of Pseudomonas syringae unveil numerous potential auxiliary metabolic genes.

Relatively few phages that infect plant pathogens have been isolated and investigated. The Pseudomonas syringae species complex is present in various environments, including plants. It can cause major crop diseases, such as bacterial canker on apricot trees. This study presents a collection of 25 unique phage genomes that infect P. syringae. These phages were isolated from apricot orchards with bacterial canker symptoms after enrichment with 21 strains of P. syringae. This collection comprises mostly virulent phages, with only three being temperate. They belong to 14 genera, 11 of which are newly discovered, and 18 new species, revealing great genetic diversity within this collection. Novel DNA packaging systems have been identified bioinformatically in one of the new phage species, but experimental confirmation is required to define the precise mechanism. Additionally, many phage genomes contain numerous potential auxiliary metabolic genes with diversified putative functions. At least three phages encode genes involved in bacterial tellurite resistance, a toxic metalloid. This suggests that viruses could play a role in bacterial stress tolerance. This research emphasizes the significance of continuing the search for new phages in the agricultural ecosystem to unravel novel ecological diversity and new gene functions. This work contributes to the foundation for future fundamental and applied research on phages infecting phytopathogenic bacteria.

Pulsed Electric Field Pretreatments Affect the Metabolite Profile and Antioxidant Activities of Freeze- and Air-Dried New Zealand Apricots.

Pulsed electric field (PEF) pretreatment has been shown to improve the quality of dried fruits in terms of antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds. In this study, apricots were pretreated with PEF at different field strengths (0.7 kV/cm; 1.2 kV/cm and 1.8 kv/cm) at a frequency of 50 Hz, and electric pulses coming in every 20 µs for 30 s, prior to freeze-drying and air-drying treatments. PEF treatments were carried out at different field strengths. The impact of different pretreatments on the quality of dried apricot was determined in terms of physical properties, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, and metabolite profile. PEF pretreatments significantly (p < 0.05) increased firmness of all the air-dried samples the most by 4-7-fold and most freeze-dried apricot samples (44.2% to 98.64%) compared to the control group. However, PEF treatment at 1.2 kV/cm did not have any effect on hardness of the freeze-dried sample. The moisture content and water activity of freeze-dried samples were found to be significantly lower than those of air-dried samples. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed that air drying caused the loss of fruit structure due to significant moisture loss, while freeze drying preserved the honeycomb structure of the apricot flesh, with increased pore sizes observed at higher PEF intensities. PEF pretreatment also significantly increased the antioxidant activity and total phenol content of both air-dried and freeze-dried apricots. PEF treatment also significantly (p < 0.05) increased amino acid and fatty acid content of air-dried samples but significantly (p < 0.05) decreased sugar content. Almost all amino acids (except tyrosine, alanine, and threonine) significantly increased with increasing PEF intensity. The results of this study suggest that PEF pretreatment can influence the quality of air-dried and freeze-dried apricots in terms antioxidant activity and metabolites such as amino acids, fatty acids, sugar, organic acids, and phenolic compounds. The most effective treatment for preserving the quality of dried apricots is freeze drying combined with high-intensity (1.8 kv/cm) PEF treatment.

Fabrication of blueberry anthocyanins-rich gels based on the apricot polysaccharides with different esterification degrees.

To enhance the stability of anthocyanins under conditions such as light, temperature, and pH, an apricot polysaccharide hydrogel for anthocyanins encapsulation was prepared in this study. Apricot polysaccharides with different DEs were prepared by an alkaline de-esterification method. A gel was prepared by mixing the apricot polysaccharides with CaCl2 to encapsulate the anthocyanins; the encapsulation efficiency reached 69.52 ± 0.31 %. Additionally, the gel exhibited favorable hardness (144.17 ± 2.33 g) and chewiness (64.13 ± 1.53 g). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) spectra confirmed that the formation of the hydrogel primarily relied on electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. Compared with free anthocyanins, it was also found that the gel-encapsulated anthocyanins had a higher retention rate (RR) under different temperatures and light.

The Effects of Apricot Kernels and Pure Amygdalin on the Structural, Oxidative, and Inflammatory Characteristics of Rabbit Testicular Tissue.

BACKGROUND: Apricot kernels containing amygdalin (AMG) as the major cyanogenic glycoside are potentially useful as a complementary therapy for the management of several ailments including cancer. Nevertheless, little is known regarding the toxic and therapeutic doses of AMG, particularly in terms of male reproduction. Hence, this study evaluates selected qualitative characteristics of rabbit testicular tissue following in vivo administration of AMG or apricot kernels for 28 days. METHODS: The rabbits were randomly divided into five groups (Control, P1, P2, P3, P4). The Control received no AMG/apricot kernels while the experimental groups P1 and P2 received a daily intramuscular injection of amygdalin at a dose of 0.6 and 3.0 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.) for 28 days, respectively. P3 and P4 received a daily dose of 60 and 300 mg/kg b.w. of crushed apricot kernels mixed with feed for 28 days, respectively. Changes to the testicular structure were quantified morphometrically, while tissue lysates were subjected to the evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, total antioxidant capacity, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and glutathione concentration. The extent of damage to the proteins and lipids was quantified as well. Levels of selected cytokines were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay while a luminometric approach was used to assess the activity of caspases. RESULTS: Rabbits treated with 3.0 mg/kg b.w. AMG presented a significantly increased protein oxidation (p = 0.0118) accompanied by a depletion of superoxide dismutase (p = 0.0464), catalase (p = 0.0317), and glutathione peroxidase (p = 0.0002). Significantly increased levels of interleukin-1 beta (p = 0.0012), tumor necrosis factors alpha (p = 0.0159), caspase-3/7 (p = 0.0014), and caspase-9 (p = 0.0243) were also recorded in the experimental group P2 when compared to the Control. No effects were observed in the rabbits treated with apricot kernels at the oxidative, inflammatory, and histopathological levels. CONCLUSIONS: Apricot kernels did not induce toxicity in the testicular tissues of male rabbits, unlike pure AMG, which had a negative effect on male reproductive structures carried out through oxidative, inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic mechanisms.

Effects of Different Drying Methods on Drying Characteristics, Microstructure, Quality, and Energy Consumption of Apricot Slices.

An appropriate drying method is crucial for producing high-quality dried apricots. In this study, the effects of four drying methods, hot air drying (HAD), infrared drying (IRD), pulse vacuum drying (PVD), and vacuum freeze-drying (VFD), on the drying kinetics and physical and nutritional characteristics of apricot slices were evaluated. PVD required the shortest time (16.25 h), followed by IRD (17.54 h), HAD (21.39 h), and VFD (34.64 h). VFD resulted in the best quality of apricot slices, with the smallest color difference (ΔE = 13.64), lowest water activity (0.312 ± 0.015) and browning degree (0.35), highest color saturation (62.84), lowest hardness (8.35 ± 0.47 N) and shrinkage (9.13 ± 0.65%), strongest rehydration ability (3.58 ± 0.11 g/g), a good microstructure, and high nutrient-retention rates (ascorbic acid content: 53.31 ± 0.58 mg/100 g, total phenolic content: 12.64 ± 0.50 mg GAE/g, and carotenoid content: 24.23 ± 0.58 mg/100 g) and antioxidant activity (DPPH: 21.10 ± 0.99 mmol Trolox/g and FRAP: 34.10 ± 0.81 mmol Trolox/g). The quality of PVD-treated apricot slices was second-best, and the quality of HAD-treated apricot slices was the worst. However, the energy consumption required for VFD was relatively high, while that required for PVD was lower. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the large-scale industrial production of dried apricots.

Effects of ultrasonication and freeze-thaw pretreatments on the vacuum freeze-drying process and quality characteristics of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L. cv. Diaoganxing).

The combination of pretreatment and vacuum freeze-drying (VFD) technology is an effective technique for extending the shelf life of apricots, reducing costs and energy consumption. However, the impact of pretreatment on the freeze-drying and quality characteristics of apricots is still unclear. The effects of ultrasound (US), freeze-thaw (FT), and their combination (FT-US) on water migration and quality characteristics of apricot slices on VFD were studied. LR-NMR and SEM showed that pretreatment significantly reduced the time (19.05%-33.33%) and energy consumption (17.67%-35.66%) of the VFD process. Compared with the control group, the US, FT, and FT-US improved the color, texture, rehydration ability, and flavor of apricot slices. Among them, FT-US retained the most biologically active substances and antioxidant capacity, with the highest sensory score. Overall, FT-US pretreatment induced changes in the microstructure and chemistry of apricots, which contributed to the production of high-quality VFD apricot slices.

The Physiological Response of Apricot Flowers to Low-Temperature Stress.

The growth and development of apricot flower organs are severely impacted by spring frosts. To better understand this process, apricot flowers were exposed to temperatures ranging from 0 °C to -8 °C, including a control at 18 °C, in artificial incubators to mimic diverse low-temperature environments. We aimed to examine their physiological reactions to cold stress, with an emphasis on changes in phenotype, membrane stability, osmotic substance levels, and antioxidant enzyme performance. Results reveal that cold stress induces significant browning and cellular damage, with a sharp increase in browning rate and membrane permeability below -5 °C. Soluble sugars and proteins initially rise as osmoprotectants, but their content decreases at lower temperatures. Proline content consistently increases, suggesting a protective role. Antioxidant enzyme activities, including catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), exhibit a complex pattern, with initial increases followed by declines at more severe cold conditions. Correlation and principal component analyses highlight the interplay between these responses, indicating a multifaceted adaptation strategy. The findings contribute to the understanding of apricot cold tolerance and inform breeding efforts for improved crop resilience.

Evaluation of improved functional characteristics of Lactobacillus enriched fruit bar prepared from stone fruits of Mid Himalayan belt.

Probiotic enriched functional fruit bar was prepared by using stone fruits (i.e. apricot and plum) of Mid Himalayan belt. Purpose of this study is to determine the survival of potential probiotic isolates in fruit bar and to study physico-chemical and sensorial properties of the product along with nutritional profile as well as microbial safety. Probiotics bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus KC6 and Lactobacillus paraplantarum Sam 1 were used to prepare fruit bar. Probiotic fruit bar was prepared in seven sets and was evaluated for various physico-chemical, nutritional and functional properties during storage period. It was revealed in the study that probiotic fruit bar is nutritionally and functionally better than non-probiotic fruit bar. Probiotic encapsulated bacteria in co-culture combinations efficiently enhanced nutritional quality of fruit bar. Microbiological evaluation of the product revealed that the viability of encapsulated probiotic co-culture bacteria was significantly greater as compared to free cells in the probiotic fruit bar.