Study of the technological quality of Citrus sinensis var. treated by gamma irradiation combined with refrigeration during storage

Abstract

Irradiation as an alternative quarantine treatment has been under consideration by the International Consultative Group on Food Irradiation. This study was conducted on Moroccan late oranges Citrus sinensis var. Morocco late and Citrus sinensis var. Navel lane late to investigate the effects of storage, and low dose irradiation on functional constituents, and quality. Fruit was treated with 0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 Gy of gamma irradiation in order to reduce the post-harvest losses and to increase the shelf life; there after they were stored at ambient temperature or under refrigeration. Quality parameters (juice content, pH, titratable acidity, sugar content and dry mass percentage) were evaluated immediately after the irradiation treatment and during storage. The analysis of the obtained data reveals that the irradiation did not have ominous harmful effect on the fruit quality. The modification of certain physico-chemical parameters is not due to the irradiation, but can be related to other factors such as storage temperature and storage period.