This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) concentrations (0, 188, 452, 791, 1034, 1236, 2899 and 3864 mg SO 2 /kg) on the physical, chemical and microbiological qualities of dried apricots (DAs). Non-sulfited DAs were evaluated as a control group. Strong correlations were determined between SO 2 concentration with pH (r = -0.913), titratable acidity values (r = 0.983), browning values (r = -0.981) and -carotene contents (r = 0.822) of DAs (P<0.05). The number of total psycrophilic aerobic bacteria (TPAB), lactic acid bacteria, yeast and mold, xerophilic mould, Staphylococcus spp., and total Enterobacteriaceae were below the detection limit (<0.6 log cfu/g) in samples containing SO 2 even at the lowest level (188 mg SO 2 /kg). Although 188 mg SO 2 per kg of DAs is sufficient SO 2 concentration with respect to browning color and microbial load right after drying, DAs should contain minimum 791 mg SO 2 /kg to protect the initial -carotene content.