Pilot-Scale Studies on the Irradiation of Onions in Hungary

Various lots of onions from 120 to 10 000 kg were irradiated with a 5 krad dose 2 to 7 weeks after harvest in 1973 to 1976 and stored until March-April the following year. During the final period of storage the percentage amounts of sprouted and/or decayed onions were measured, the yield of peeled onions acceptable for dehydration processing was established and the quality of the dehydrated onion flakes was investigated. On average an 8-10% reduction in the total storage losses could be achieved by irradiation. The increased storability of irradiated onions could allow an extension of about 3 weeks in the dehydration season for the processing industry. When irradiated onions were processed in February or March the yield of onions peeled for dehydration was about 10% higher on average than that of untreated onions. The quality of the dried product made from irradiated onions was better than that of the control because 30-70% less bud parts occurred than in the untreated product and they were less discoloured. Irradiated onions showed excellent storage qualities in household tests performed in April and May 1976. The marketing trials in 1976 and 1977 in two different areas demonstrated that the Hungarian consumers had no objection to purchasing irradiated onions. (author)