Effect of 60Co gamma radiation on microbial flora and shelf life of Malus domestica Borkh

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/09/2016
Views (395) Download (10)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Effect of 60Co gamma radiation on microbial flora and shelf life of Malus domestica Borkh

Mehwish Iqtedar, Hafsa Amjad, Uzma Sarwar, Rabab Asim, Afshan Kaleem, Roheena Abdullah, Mahwish Aftab, Tehreema Iftikhar, Shagufta Naz
Int. J. Biosci.9( 3), 47-52, September 2016.
Certificate: IJB 2016 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

Apples are known worldwide for their pleasant taste. Apples, being perishable and susceptible to microbial spoilage, have a short shelf-life. The current study was carried out to investigate the effect of gamma irradiation treatment for maintaining storage quality and extending the shelf life of apples. Mature Kala kulu apples were collected from local fruit market of Lahore and packed in zip-locked bags. Apples were irradiated with dose range of 1, 1.5 and 2.0 kGy under refrigerated (4oC) conditions. Microbiological evaluations were carried out on 7th, 14th and 21st day of experiment. Sensory evaluations were done after every 7th day and data obtained from irradiated apples was compared with the observations obtained from un-radiated (control) samples. Studies revealed that total bacterial, yeast and mold counts significantly (p≤0.05) decreased in irradiated apples stored at 4°C. Maximum reduction of pathogenic bacteria and fungi at 2 kGy was 74% and 77%, respectively. Sensory evaluation revealed that irradiation treatment of 1kGy significantly maintained the storage quality of the fruit. While with 1.5 and 2 kGy dose treatment, fruit showed reduced firmness early during storage. The dose of 1kGy, proved most effective in enhancing the shelf life of apples by maintaining the fruit quality and hence improving the shelf life. Conclusively, irradiation has positive influence on decreasing microbial flora and increasing shelf life of apples, however appropriate dose must be applied. In the present study our results revealed that there is a great potential for the use of radiation in extending the storage life of apples.

VIEWS 15

Bibi N, Khattak M, Badshah A, Chaudry M. 2006. Radiation treatment of minimally processed fruits and vegetables for ensuring hygienic quality. Proceedings of FAO/IAEA. Islamabad, Pakistan, 205 – 224 p.

Drake SR, Sanderson PG, Neven LG. 1999. Response of apple and winter pear fruit quality to irradiation as a quarantine treatment. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation 23(3), 203–216.

FAOSTAT. 2012. Food and Agriculture Organizations of United Nations.

Farkas J. 1998. Irradiation as a method for decontaminating food: a review. International Journal of Food Microbiology 44, 189 – 204.

Gupta VK, Tuohy MG, Ayyachamy M, Turner K, O’Donovan A. 2013. Laboratory Protocols in Fungal Biology. Springer Science and Bussiness Media, 604.

Hussain PR, Meena RS, Dar MA, Wani AM. 2011. Effect of post-harvest calcium chloride dip treatment and gamma irradiation on storage quality and shelf-life extension of Red delicious apple. Journal of Food Science and Technology 4, 415 – 426.

Hussain PR, Meena RS, Wani AM, Dar MA. 2011. Radiation Processing of Temperate Fruits of Kashmir Valley. Astrophysical Sciences Division, Nuclear Research Laboratory, BARC, Srinagar 1, 1–10.

Juhnevica K, Skudra G, Skudra L. 2011. Evaluation of microbiological contamination of apple fruit stored in a modified atmosphere. Environment and Experimental Biolology 9, 53 – 59.

Leff J W, Fierer N. 2013. Bacterial communities associated with the surfaces of fresh fruits and vegetables. PloS one 8, 593 -610.

Mostafavi HA, Mirmajlessi SM, Mirjalili SM, Fathollahi H, Askari H. 2012. Gamma radiation effects on physico-chemical parameters of apple fruit during commercial post-harvest preservation. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 81, 666 – 671.

Mukhtar A, Gilani A, Bhatty N. 2010. Some nutritional and microbiological aspects of apples of common varieties available for household consumption. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences 20, 253 – 257.

Oranusi Um, Wesley B. 2012. Microbiological Safety Assessment of Apple Fruits (Malus domestica Borkh) Sold in Owerri Imo State Nigeria. Advance Journal of Food Science and Technology 4, 97 – 102.

PHDEB. 2007. Establishment of cold chain system under national trade corridor improvement project. Karachi. Pakistan Horiculture Development and Export Board 1.

Sabir SM, Shah SZ, Afzal A. 2004. Effect of chemical treatment, wax coating, oil dipping and different wrapping materials on physio-chemical characteristics and storage behavior of apple (Malus domestica Borkh). Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 3, 122 – 127.

Zaman A, Shah A, Nawaz T, Gull S,  Imdad M. 2013. Combined effect of gamma irradiation and hot water dipping on the selected nutrients and shelf life of peach. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2, 1 – 8.