Title: Characteristics of postharvest quality in regional fruits treated with ionising radiation

Authors: Josenilda Maria Da Silva; Lídia Cristina dos Santos Alencar Correia; Maria Inês Sucupira Maciel; Heldio Pereira Villar

Addresses: Laboratório de Pós-colheita de Frutos, Centra Regional de Ciências Nucleares/NE, Av. Prof. Luiz Freire, 200, C. Universitária 50.740-540, Recife, PE, Brazil ' Laboratório de Análises de Alimentos, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900, Recife, PE, Brazil ' Laboratório de Análises de Alimentos, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, 52171-900, Recife, PE, Brazil ' Laboratório de Pós-colheita de Frutos, Centro Regional de Ciências Nucleares/NE, Av. Prof. Luiz Freire, 200, C. Universitária 50.740-540, Recife, PE, Brazil; Polytechnic School of Pernambuco, Praça do Internacional, 455, Madalena - 50720-615 Recife, PE, Brazil

Abstract: Quality postharvest of three cultivated species of the Northeast Region of Brazil was evaluated after receiving ionising radiation. Cashew peduncles (Anacardium occidentale L. var. Nanum) stored for 14 days under 6.5°C had presented best results in the sensorial analyses for external appearance, flavour and aroma when irradiated with 1 kGy. Sapodillas (Manilkara sapodilla (L) Van Roy en) irradiated with doses of 300, 600 and 900 Gy have not displayed harmed sensorial qualities when stored under 20°C during 12 days. Doses up to 800 Gy had not harmed the external and internal appearance of mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) after stored for fortnight under 13°C. Values of Total Soluble Solids, Total Titratable Acidity, pH and solid/acidity ratio have not been affected significantly by the different doses applied to the three studied species. Amount of ascorbic acid was lower in the irradiated fruits for the species A. occidentale L. var. Nanum and H. speciosa Gomes.

Keywords: ionising radiation; fruit storage; fruit conservation; postharvest quality; regional fruits; sensorial analyses; fruit quality; Brazil; ascorbic acid; low radiation; total soluble solids; total titratable acidity; pH.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNGEE.2012.053590

International Journal of Nuclear Governance, Economy and Ecology, 2012 Vol.3 No.4, pp.308 - 313

Published online: 01 May 2013 *

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