Radiation processing of litchi for meeting phytosanitory requirements

Litchi being a highly perishable fruit was treated with gamma radiation as well as a set of food grade physico-chemical formulations to achieve multiple objectives including quarantine treatment, inhibit pericarp browning, and achieve shelf-life extension. The combined treatment completely inhibited the browning of litchi without affecting its nutritional and sensory attributes and extended the shelf-life up to 50 days at 4 deg C storage. Thus the technology provides an effective solution to traders and exporters of litchi fruit. (author)