Pearl oil apricot is rich in nutrition, but easily gets quality deterioration in short term after harvest which significantly reduces its commercial value. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of polyethylene (PE), PE/1‐mmethylcyclopropene (1‐MCP), and PE/ethylene absorbent treatment on the respiration rate, ethylene production, fruit firmness, soluble solids content, and color variation of apricot during storage period varied at −1.5, 0, and 1.5 °C. The respiration rate of apricot was inhibited and respiration intensity peak was delayed 7 days in PE/1‐MCP treated group. The ethylene peak was also delayed effectively, and ethylene production significantly decreased after 1‐MCP and ethylene absorbent treatment. The decrease of apricot fruit firmness was suppressed in PE/1‐MCP and PE/ethylene absorbent treatment at −1.5 °C. The lustrousness and color of apricot were maintained very well after PE/1‐MCP treatment at −1.5 °C. In conclusion, the best way for the storage of pearl oil apricot was PE/1‐MCP treatment and −1.5 °C preservation.
Practical applications
The optimal treatment efficiently inhibited respiration intensity and ethylene release of pearl oil apricot fruit, suppressed firmness decreasing and quality deterioration, increased consumers' acceptability. This treatment is safe, economic, and applicable, which can be used to maintain the quality of pearl oil apricot theoretically and technically.