Determination of the Effect of Ferric Oxide and Ozone Gas Applications on the Fruit Quality Parameters and Microbial Contamination Load Caused by Dried Fruit Mite, Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) (Acari: Carpoglyphidae) Infestation

Turkey is the number one dried apricot producer, and alone provides the large part of the dried apricot production around the world. Although drying the fruits by reducing the water content prevents the development of microbial factors, the increase of sugar crystals allows the reproduction of the dried fruit mite Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) (Acari: Carpoglyphidae). Infection and feeding of the mites promote the development of some microbial factors on dried fruits and cause some disorders in the digestive system and allergic reactions in humans. The effects of ozone gas as an oxidative agent and short-term oxygen scavenger, and ferric oxide as an oxygen and moisture absorber against C. lactis populations have been shown previously. Unlike previous studies, in this study, the effect on microbial load caused by infestation, and the effect of these applications on the fruit quality parameters and sensory properties were also revealed. According to the results of this study, applications of 44 mg L-1 of ozone gas and 35000 mg L-1 of ferric oxide were completely suppressed mite populations, but no effect on the number of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds were detected. On the other hand, ozone application prevented the discoloration of the dried apricots caused by the mite infestation. Whilst mite infestation significantly decreased the firmness of the apricots, both ozone and ferric oxide treatments positively affected and improved these parameters. Additionally, no negative effects of ozone and ferric oxide treatments on sensory characteristics of fruits were detected