Effect of pre-harvest oxalic acid yield on fruit quality and antioxidant properties in perfect red and Malatya apricot cultivars

This study was carried out in the 2023 vegetation period, in Isparta ecological conditions. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of oxalic acid (OA) application on fruit quality and antioxidant properties in apricot. For this purpose, 2 mM OA was applied to the trees of 'Perfect Red' and 'Malatya' apricot cultivars twice (May 16-June 6) before harvest. Some pomological and biochemical properties were analyzed in fruit samples taken during the commercial harvest period. According to the results obtained, the effect of OA application on fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length and fruit flesh firmness values was not found to be significant. However, fruit weight (52.78 g) and fruit width (46.81 mm) values were determined relatively high in OA application. OA application significantly increased the fruit peel a* value in 'Perfect Red' cultivar compared to the control. (%65.00). OA application significantly increased the total flavonoid content of the fruits (%17.61) compared to the control, and relatively increased the total phenolic and total antioxidant capacity properties. There was a significant difference between the varieties and the 'Perfect Red' cultivar produced the largest (57.87 g and 49.06 mm fruit width) and the most colorful fruits. In conclusion, environmentally friendly OA applications before harvest may be a natural way to enchance the quality and antioxidant properties of apricot fruits at harvest.