Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of gamma irradiated sun dried apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.)

The phenolics from both control and irradiated (3.0 kGy) dried apricots of Halman variety were identified and quantified by HPLC method using external standards. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of seventeen phenolic acids and eight flavonoids in dried apricots. Among the phenolic acids, ten were hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives (HBA), six hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (HCA) and the one was present as ellagic acid. The most abundant flavonoids present in dried apricots were apigenin followed by quercetin and catechin. The results of the antioxidant activity as determined by DPPH radical scavenging, ferric reducing ability power (FRAP) and β-carotene bleaching assay revealed significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in EC50 values and corresponding increase in antioxidant profile and activity due to irradiation, in addition to its effect in overcoming quarantine barriers. Irradiation decreased the EC50 values by 19.1%, 13.6%, and 16.1% respectively with respect to control for DPPH, FRAP and β-carotene assays.