Comparison of gamma and electron beam irradiation for using phyto-sanitary treatment and improving physico-chemical quality of dried apricot and quince Down

The present study was conducted to compare the effect of gamma and electron beam irradiation for use a phyto-sanitary treatment and improving the physico-chemical and antioxidant activity of dried apricot and quince irradiated at doses of 1, 2, 3, and 4 kGy. Results of the present study revealed that both gamma and electron beam irradiation were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) effective in maintaining the physico-chemical quality and enhancing the antioxidant potential of dried apricot and quince. The ΔE*_ab values indicated that there was no significant (p ≤ 0.05) noticeable difference induced in color of the dried apricot and quince by the two methods of irradiation. Textural parameters (hardness, chewiness, gumminess) recorded decreasing trend with irradiation particularly at doses beyond 2.0 kGy under both the methods of irradiation. Strong inverse correlation (r=–0.85) existed between gamma irradiation and rehydration ratio whereas moderate inverse correlation (r=–0.73) existed between rehydration ratio and electron beam irradiation for both the products. Both gamma and electron beam irradiation at 3.0 and 4.0 kGy proved effective in reducing the number of viable microorganisms to below detection limits in both the