Postharvest monitoring and consumer choice on traditional and modern apricot cultivars

Abstract Apricot ( Prunus armeniaca L.) fruit qualities are affected by harvest date and rapid off-tree ripening progression that limits their shelf life marketability. Nowadays, consumers generally dissatisfied with the sensory quality of apricot sold on large-scale retail channels. Pomological analysis (color, firmness, total soluble solids, acidity), volatile organic compounds fingerprint evaluation were performed during postharvest in two different genotypes objective to: 1 ) characterize compare cultivars at times; 2 understand how changes process; 3 elucidate which parameters drive consumer's choice. For this purpose, ‘Portici’ (traditional cultivar) ‘Lady Cot’ (modern one) grown same environment, evaluated commercial maturity for following 15 days. Results indicate selected was different, showing better performances terms aroma, sweetness juiciness, while stood out firmness. also a trend traits analyzed shelf-life, reduced traditional cultivar. Graphical abstract