Paper Details

Quality characteristics and microbial safety evaluation of gamma irradiated almonds (Prunus dulcis L.)

Faiza Saleem, Rukhama Haq, Neelma Munir, Shagufta Naz, Mehral Aslam, Rabia Aslam, Imran Altaf

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/6.10.97-103

Int. J. Biosci. 6(10), 97-103. May, 2015. (PDF)

Abstract:

Almond (Prunus dulcis L.) is one of the important stone fruit grown in Pakistan and is a tremendous source of magnesium, copper, phosphorus, fiber, riboflavin, monounsaturated fatty acids and protein. Efficacy of gamma irradiation on Pakistani almonds was studied during the present work. The samples were treated with four different doses (1, 3, 5 and 7kGy ) at radiation services of PARAS. Screening and evaluation of native micro flora on almonds was performed and the viable count of Salmonella was determined before and after gamma treatment. Furthermore, nutritional composition of irradiated and non-irradiated almonds was also compared by their ash, moisture, fat, fiber, protein and carbohydrate content. Results showed that 3 kGy is the optimum dose for almonds at which complete elimination of Salmonella was recorded with no significant effect on nutritional value.