Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
ACS Food Science and Technology, cilt.5, sa.3, ss.909-924, 2025 (Scopus)
Apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) are mainly grown in Asia, the Far East, South and North Africa, Europe, and Central America. Due to their commercial importance, nutritional value, and medicinal properties, they are also known as the “golden fruit” and are enjoying increasing economic popularity. The apricot fruit and its kernel are rich in carbohydrate and other constituents, e.g., mono- and polysaccharides, carotenoids, fatty acids, cyanogenic glycosides, polyphenols and sterol derivatives, volatile compounds, and some minerals. The main sugars in apricot varieties are generally sucrose, glucose, and fructose. The sorbitol content of Malatya apricots (average value of 20 mg/100 g) is significantly higher than those of other apricot varieties. This is considered a unique feature of Malatya apricots. Apricot kernels, which contain over 40% protein, stand out as a potential solution for the sustainable use of agricultural byproducts. This Review provides a comprehensive overview of the cultivation, composition, nutritional value, and economic aspects of the apricot and its kernel. In this context, after the presentation of the gross composition and the microconstituents, the phytochemicals, the functional and bioactive properties, the therapeutic effects, the importance in world trade, and the value-added products obtained from apricots are discussed in detail with reference to recent studies. In addition, their worldwide production statistics and economic importance are also reviewed. In conclusion, the Review gives a new perspective on agricultural production, product processing, and the possibilities of new and value-added products from apricot fruit and kernels by considering the health benefits of the products, consumer demand, and production strategies.