Changes in some enzyme activities and browning rate of apricots during storage

Samples of two apricot cultivars grown in central Hungary were picked at canning maturity and stored for ten days at 5°C and 85% relative humidity in normal atmosphere. The initial rate of enzymatic browning (BA), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities as well as o-dihydroxy phenol (ODP) concentration of the fruit flesh were assayed at picking and after five and ten days of storage. During storage, BA decreased and POD activity increased. PPO activity and ODP concentration varied irregularly: the trends of the variations differed with cultivar but were similar for the two characteristics.(Cegled Research Station of the Research Institute of Fruits and Ornamental Plants, Budapest, Hungary), Cegled