Effect of gamma radiation and temperature on potatoes during storage Pt. 1

Radiation treatment of potato was carried out by gamma irradiation from a Cobalt-60 source. The radiation doses applied for two varieties of potato (Desire and Metal) were 50 Gy, 100 Gy and 500 Gy. Irradiated and control potatoes were stored at 5 deg C and 20-25 deg C for 6 months. Texture investigation, sprout growth rate, and weight loss were measured every month. At the end of storage the control samples were soft and shrunken, but the texture of irradiated samples stored at 5 deg C was much better. Sprout growth was completely inhibited in potatoes which had received dosages of 100 Gy and 500 Gy. Weight loss increased during storage time, and decreased by the irradiation treatment, depending on the variety and temperature. Higher weight loss due to rotting was observed in the irradiated tubers than in the control ones. In the case of Metal variety, higher values of weight losses due to respiration, evaporation and rotting were observed in the irradiated tubers than in the control ones. (author) 9 refs.; 7 figs