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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Chestnuts are a seasonal fruit that must be postharvest treated to meet food safety
regulations. In this study the effect of gamma irradiation on color and texture of chestnut
fruits from a European variety (Castanea sativa Miller) was reported. The fruits were
subjected to gamma irradiation doses of 0.5, 3 and 6 kGy, with color and texture properties
analyzed along a typical commercial period for this fruit after postharvest treatment, at 0, 15
and 30 days of storage. For L and b color parameters, significant differences (p < 0.05) were
observed with irradiation dose (ID) only for higher doses of 3 kGy and 6 kGy. Along storage
time (ST) significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed for fruits interior (half-cutted) after
15 days of storage. Regarding texture, differences on fruits were only detected for chestnuts
irradiated with 6 kGy. With this study we can identify the maximum acceptable dose for
irradiation processing of these fruits, concluding that gamma irradiation could be a promising
alternative technology for postharvest disinfestation of European chestnuts varieties, to meet food safety international trade regulations, not affecting significantly two important
parameters for the consumer, the color and texture.
Description
Keywords
Chestnut fruits Food irradiation Color Texture
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Antonio, Amilcar L.; Fernandes, Ângela; Bento, Albino; Ferreira, Armando; Trigo, M. João; Botelho, M. Luisa; Quintana, Begoña; Ramalhosa, Elsa (2013). Gamma irradiation preservation of chestnut fruits: effects on color and texture. European Scientific Journal. ISSN 1857–7881. 3, p. 239-245
Publisher
European Scientific Institute