Influence of gamma irradiation on microbiological and chemical characteristics of shelled and unshelled stored pecan (carya illinoinsis)

Shelled and unshelled pecan nuts were treated with 0,1.53 and 5 kGy of gamma irradiation . The irradiated and non-irradiated nuts were stored in polyethylene bags for 0,2,4,6, and 8 months at room temperature. Total bacterial count and total mold and yeast, proximate composition (moisture, protein, fat and ash content), total free amino acids, total fatty acids, reducing and non-reducing sugars, phosphorous and potassium of nuts were evaluated immediately after irradiation and after each storage period . The results indicated that gamma irradiation reduced total bacterial count and total fungal load of pecan. Irradiation doses did not cause any significant changes in proximate composition of pecan.