Quality changes in unsulfured sun dried apricots during storage

The sun dried apricots (Hacihaliloglu) from Malatya region of Turkey without sulfur dioxide application packaged in polyvinyl chloride laminated with polyethylene bags of different thickness under normal and modified atmosphere were stored at 5 +/- 1, 15 +/- 1, and 25 +/- 1 degrees C, respectively. The changes in quality characteristics of dried apricots were investigated by using objective and sensory methods of evaluation during a storage period of 48 weeks. The study showed that the unsulfured sun dried apricots have a storage life of up to 30 weeks provided that they are packaged under modified atmosphere and stored at 5 +/- 1 degrees C after processing.