Effect of the dose of irradiation on the conservation of the spice

The effect of the gamma rays treatment emitted by a source of cobalt 60 in dose of 0, 3, 6 and 10 kGy on the microbiological and psycho-chemical properties of three samples of spice (hot pepper, fennel and coriander) have been studied. This study allowed us to measure the effect of these doses of irradiation on the lengthening of the lengthen conservation during storage of eight weeks to ambient temperature. The results show that the irradiation is very effective from a microbiological stand point. In fact, starting from 10 kGy the spices was not contaminated any more. The irradiation until a dose of dose 10 kGy has not generated any significant modifications, mainly in the physico-chemical parameters of the spices. But high diminishing has ac cured in water potency. Regarding colour variation, the irradiation has permitted the creation of a brighter colour for the three spices treated. A long the follow up we have an important multiplication in all bacteria existent in the three spices. Hew ever for the spices treated in 10 kGy we did not get any recontamination. (Author)