Effects of Different Drying Methods on Drying Characteristics and Quality of Small White Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)

This study examined the effects of hot air drying (HAD), infrared radiation drying (IRD), microwave vacuum drying (MVD), freeze drying (FD), and freeze drying combined with microwave vacuum drying (FD-MVD) on the drying kinetics, color, rehydration ratio, titratable acidity, and vitamin C content of small white apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.). Results showed drying times of 12.5 h (IRD), 14.1 h (FD), 16 h (HAD), 0.53 h (MVD), and 6.15 h (FD-MVD). FD-MVD significantly outperformed MVD, HAD, and IRD in color, vitamin C, titratable acidity, and rehydration, though was slightly inferior to FD. Microstructural analysis revealed that FD-MVD preserved the most uniform pore structure, better maintaining apricots’ original appearance. In contrast, IRD and HAD caused severe surface shriveling, compromising quality. In conclusion, FD-MVD emerges as a promising drying method to enhance apricot quality and market competitiveness in food processing.