A review of the most significant studies on properties, phytochemical analysis of components present in the apricot fruit

Optimization of extraction methods for characterization of phenolic compounds in apricot fruit (Prunus armeniaca).
Iglesias-Carres L, Mas-Capdevila A, Bravo FI, Bladé C, Arola-Arnal A, Muguerza B.
Food Funct. 2019 Sep 19. doi: 10.1039/c9fo00353c.

Production of Bio-Functional Protein through Revalorization of Apricot Kernel Cake.
Čakarević J, Vidović S, Vladić J, Gavarić A, Jokić S, Pavlović N, Blažić M, Popović L.
Foods. 2019 Aug 6;8(8). pii: E318. doi: 10.3390/foods8080318.

Apricot Kernel Extract and Amygdalin Inhibit Urban Particulate Matter-Induced Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca.
Hyun SW, Kim J, Park B, Jo K, Lee TG, Kim JS, Kim CS.
Molecules. 2019 Feb 12;24(3). pii: E650. doi: 10.3390/molecules24030650.

Production, pomological and nutraceutical properties of apricot.
Moustafa K, Cross J.
J Food Sci Technol. 2019 Jan;56(1):12-23. doi: 10.1007/s13197-018-3481-7.

Potential Application of Prunus armeniaca L. and P. domestica L. Leaf Essential Oils as Antioxidant and of Cholinesterases Inhibitors.
Bonesi M, Tenuta MC, Loizzo MR, Sicari V, Tundis R.
Antioxidants (Basel). 2018 Dec 21;8(1). pii: E2. doi: 10.3390/antiox8010002.

Biological and epidemiological evidence of anti-allergic effects of traditional Japanese food ume (Prunus mume).
Kono R, Nakamura M, Nomura S, Kitano N, Kagiya T, Okuno Y, Inada KI, Tokuda A, Utsunomiya H, Ueno M.
Sci Rep. 2018 Aug 3;8(1):11638. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-30086-5.

A Novel Compound, "FA-1" Isolated from Prunus mume, Protects Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells and Keratinocytes from Cigarette Smoke Extract-Induced Damage.
Jang AJ, Lee JH, Yotsu-Yamashita M, Park J, Kye S, Benza RL, Passineau MJ, Jeon YJ, Nyunoya T.
Sci Rep. 2018 Jul 31;8(1):11504. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-29701-2.

Amygdalin from Apricot Kernels Induces Apoptosis and Causes Cell Cycle Arrest in Cancer Cells: An Updated Review.
Saleem M, Asif J, Asif M, Saleem U.
Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2018;18(12):1650-1655. doi: 10.2174/1871520618666180105161136.

Antioxidant phenolic acids from the leaves of Armeniaca sibirica.
Wu YN, Wang W, Yao GD, Jiang XF, Zhang Y, Song SJ.
J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2018 Oct;20(10):969-976. doi: 10.1080/10286020.2017.1373101

Safety

An unusual presentation of chronic cyanide toxicity from self-prescribed apricot kernel extract.
Konstantatos A, Shiv Kumar M, Burrell A, Smith J.
BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Sep 11;2017. pii: bcr-2017-220814. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-220814.

Effect of detoxification on biological quality of wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernel.
Tanwar B, Modgil R, Goyal A.
J Sci Food Agric. 2019 Jan 30;99(2):517-528. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.9209.

Antinutritional factors and hypocholesterolemic effect of wild apricot kernel (Prunus armeniaca L.) as affected by detoxification. Tanwar B, Modgil R, Goyal A. Food Funct. 2018 Apr 25;9(4):2121-2135. doi: 10.1039/c8fo00044a.

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) belongs to the Rosaceae family. riginating from the northern regions of China, it is used for its sweet and nutritious fruits, as well as for medicinal properties.

The genus Prunus also includes some interesting plants, from the point of view of the components, such as Prunus persica, Prunus mume, Prunus sibirica.

The main producers are:

• Turkey
• Iran
• China
• Japan
• Korea
• Italy
• France
• Spain

It is a very sweet fruit because it contains about 6.3% sugar and 2.5% pectin.

Medical applications

The kernel has traditionally been used as a medicine against constipation, bronchitis, nausea, asthma.

Apricot is known for its health benefits, being rich in vitamins A and C, and fiber. In 100 grams of pulp there are about 10 mg of Vitamin C, in the kernel oleic acid, linoleic acid, amygdalin and a volatile oil, benzaldehyde.

Commercial applications

Diet and Cooking. Apricot, both fresh and dried, is widely used in cooking for making jams, pies, desserts, and as a snack.

Beverage Industry. It is used in the production of various beverages, like juices, liquors, and syrups.

Cosmetics. Apricot kernel oil is used in skincare and haircare products for its moisturizing and emollient properties.

Studies

Apricot kernel oil showed an antimicrobial potential due to the contents of benzaldehyde (90.6%), mandelonitrile (5.2%) and benzoic acid (4.1%). Antimicrobial activity had varying degrees of efficacy against 16 bacteria and two species of yeast (1).

Amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside contained in the kernel of apricot, but also in that of almond and peach, has been accredited by scientific literature as having suppressive effects on the development of colon cancer. The daily intake of kernels, based on a "controlled" form of intake, can be considered a chemopreventive agent (2).

Warning: the word "controlled" is underlined because amygdalin contains cyanide, a powerful and lethal poison. This study presents the case of a 3-year-old child with severe intoxication due to ingestion of 3 mango kernels (3). Do-it-yourself treatment is therefore highly  not recommended.

Apricot studies

References____________________________________________________________________

(1)  Lee HH, Ahn JH, Kwon AR, Lee ES, Kwak JH, Min YH.   Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of apricot seed. Phytother Res. 2014 Dec;28(12):1867-72. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5219

(2)  Cassiem W, de Kock M. The anti-proliferative effect of apricot and peach kernel extracts on human colon cancer cells in vitro. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Jan 29;19(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s12906-019-2437-4.

(3)  Dalkiran T, Kandur Y, Ozaslan M, Acipayam C, Olgar S. Role of Hemodialysis in the Management of Cyanide Intoxication From Apricot Kernels in a 3-Year-Old Child. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2018 Nov 5. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000001644.