A Multidimensional Approach to Apricot Quality Assessment

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In this study, physical, mechanical and color characteristics of five different apricot cultivars (Hacıhaliloğlu, White Apricot, Kabaaşı, Ordubat and Şalak) grown in Iğdır province of Türkiye were examined and the effects of the relationships between these characteristics on fruit quality and marketability were determined. While fruit width, height, thickness and weight values were examined as physical properties, penetration resistance against forces applied in horizontal and vertical directions were evaluated under the heading of mechanical properties. In addition, multiple component analysis and correlation analysis were applied to detail the relationships between these parameters. As a result of, it was determined that there were statistically significant differences in terms of physical, mechanical and color measurement values for all apricot cultivars. It was concluded that Şalak variety was larger than the other cultivars but more sensitive to mechanical forces. In general, the increase in the size of the apricots increased the deformation under load. As an expected result, the variety difference in apricots also affected the color characteristics. Considering consumer preferences, L* value, which is an indicator of brightness in fruits, has emerged as an important parameter in color measurements. PCA analyses were performed to determine the main components of variance in the data set and it was determined that apricot physical properties had a much more dominant role on this variance (78.39%). The effect of mechanical properties on the variance was calculated as 20.85%. The investigated apricot cultivars showed statistically significant differences in terms of physical, mechanical and colour properties. It was found that the Şalak variety was larger and heavier, but its mechanical resistance was lower.