| APRICOT | | | | principal acids of Apricots. Presence of |
| | | | tartaric acid and succinic acid in Apricot |
| Apricots are those beautifully orange | | | | is also reported. The free amino acids |
| colored fruits full of beta carotene and | | | | present in Apricot are: asparatio, |
| fiber that are one of the first signs of | | | | glutamic, threonine, serine, proline, |
| summer. Although dried and canned Apricots | | | | alanina, glycine, valine, leucine, |
| are available year-round, fresh Apricots | | | | histidine, tyrosina, orginina etc. Apricot |
| with a plentiful supply of vitamin C, are | | | | is rich in natural sugars, vitamin A and |
| season from May through August. Apricots are | | | | calcium. Apricot is a good source of the |
| originally from China but arrived in Europe | | | | Vitamins, i.e. B Complex, riboflavin and |
| via Armenia, which is why the scientific | | | | niacin as well as vitamin C. The nut of the |
| name of Apricot is "Prunus Armenaica". The | | | | Apricot is rich in protein and fat and is |
| Apricots are said to be a native of China | | | | considered as valuable as any other nut. |
| and has spread to Pakistan, India, Iran, | | | | Apricot contains 40 to 45 per cent of an |
| Egypt & Greece. It is abundant in Himachal | | | | oil which is practically identical with |
| Pradesh, Kashmir, Kullu and Shimla. Apricots | | | | almond oil in its physical as well as |
| belongs to the sub-acid class. It is | | | | chemical properties. |
| somewhat acid in its raw state, but its | | | | |
| acidity decreases and the sugar content | | | | BENEFITS OF APRICOT |
| increases in the process of ripening. The | | | | |
| Apricots are regarded as a nutritious and | | | | Apricot Kernels are very nutritious. Just |
| tonic food and enjoys world wide popularity. | | | | one of the nutrients they contain is |
| | | | "Amygdalin" categorized as Vitamin B17. It |
| Apricots are a good source of dietary fiber | | | | is found that People who still eat a |
| with insoluble cellulose and lignin in the | | | | traditional, natural diet, containing |
| skin and soluble pectin's in the flesh. The | | | | "Amygdalin" have been found to be largely |
| Apricot's creamy golden color comes from | | | | free from cancer. The Apricot Kernels, |
| deep yellow carotenes including beta-carotene | | | | which yields an oil similar to that of the |
| that make the fruit a good source of | | | | almond, have been widely used for their |
| vitamin A. Apricots also have vitamin C | | | | sedative, antispasmodic that gives relief to |
| and iron. Cyanogenic glycosides which is | | | | strained muscles and demulcent or soothing |
| found in most stone fruit seeds, bark, and | | | | properties. Apricots are useful in the |
| leaves are found in high concentration in | | | | healing of wounds, in expelling worms and as |
| Apricot seeds. The drug laetrile, a | | | | a general tonic. |
| purported treatment for cancer, is extracted | | | | |
| from apricot seeds. As early as AD 502 | | | | Apricot is highly valued as a gentle |
| apricot seeds were used to treat tumors and | | | | laxative and is beneficial in the treatment |
| in the 17th century apricot oil was used in | | | | of constipation. This is due to its |
| England against tumors and ulcers. Seeds of | | | | cellulose and pectin contents. Apricots have |
| the Apricot grown in central Asia and | | | | an alkaline reaction in the system. They |
| around the Mediterranean are so sweet that | | | | aid the digestion, if consumed before a |
| they may be substituted for almonds. The | | | | meal. The Apricot is an excellent food |
| bark, leaves and the inner stony pit of the | | | | remedy for anaemia on account of its high |
| apricot all contain Amygdalin which is a | | | | content of iron. The small but essential |
| naturally occurring compound that degrades to | | | | amount of copper in Apricot makes iron |
| release hydrogen cyanide or prussic acid in | | | | available to the body. The production of |
| your stomach. | | | | hemoglobin could be increased in the body |
| | | | by liberal use of Apricots. It tones up |
| NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF APRICOT | | | | the eyes, stomach, liver, heart and nerves by |
| | | | supplying vitamins and minerals. Fresh |
| Apricot is a good source of sugars and | | | | juice of Apricot leaves is useful in skin |
| vitamin A, and contains appreciable amounts | | | | diseases. It can be applied with beneficial |
| of thiamine and iron. Fresh Apricot yield | | | | results in scabies, eczema, sun-burn and |
| 86% of edible matter. Analysis of Apricot | | | | itching of the skin due to cold exposure. |
| shows the presence of nutrients in | | | | |
| following proportions: | | | | USES OF APRICOT |
| | | | |
| Moisture 85% | | | | Apricot are a good source of fiber, which |
| Vitamin B2 0.22 mg | | | | has a wealth of benefits including preventing |
| | | | constipation and digestive conditions such |
| Iron 4.6 mg | | | | as diverticulosis. |
| Carbohydrate 73.4% | | | | |
| | | | Apricot Kernels oil is used for food |
| Phosphorus 70 mg | | | | purposes and in cosmetic and pharmaceutical |
| Calcium 110 mg | | | | preparations. |
| | | | |
| Vitamin C 6 mg/100 g | | | | Apricot also use in medicine for different |
| Protein 1.6% | | | | ailments. |
| | | | |
| Ripe Apricot pulp contains: total solids, | | | | Apricot is advised to persons suffering |
| 1,2.4-16.7; insoluble solids, 2.1-3.1; acids | | | | from fever as it has cooling effect. |
| (as malic acid), 0.7-2.2; total sugars (as | | | | |
| invert sugar), 3.6-8.6; glucose, 3.2-4.8; | | | | Apricot is also useful as laxative. |
| fructose, 1.4-4.2; sucrose, 1.4-5.4. | | | | |
| | | | Apricot juice is very refreshing. |
| Malic acid and citric acid are said to be the | | | | |