Commercialization, storage and transportation of irradiated dried fish and onions

Disinfestation of dried fish and sprout inhibition of onions were undertaken by radiation on a semi-commercial scale to evaluate the commercial performances, storage quality and consumer acceptability. Irradiation of dried fish at 1 kGy was found to be effective for disinfestation and for a reduction in the microbial populations. Control and irradiated dried fish were transported to Indonesia and Sri Lanka and studied there, as part of inter-country storage and transportation trials. Similar lots were transported 600 km by road. The organoleptic properties evaluated by subjective methods indicated the superior quality of the irradiated product. The pertinent chemical parameters were also studied to identify the commercial qualities of irradiated dried fish. Favourable reports on consumer assessment of product quality were received when irradiated dried fish was market tested through the usual marketing channels in Dhaka and Chittagong. Studies on the transportation behaviour and market testing of the experimental onions were undertaken in Dhaka and Chittagong during the lean period, in co-operation with a commercial entrepreneur, to evaluate the commercial performance and consumer assessment of the product quality. The results indicated that the process inhibited sprouting and reduced storage losses, and that consumers assessed the quality of irradiated onions favourably. 9 refs, 4 figs, 9 tabs