Gamma Radiation of Vegetables to Extend Market Life

Report Summary: Eleven kinds of fresh vegetables were tested to evaluate the possible extension of their market life by irradiation. Radiation reduced postharvest growth of mushrooms without apparent impairment of quality. Sprouting of sweetpotatoes was inhibited by radiation, but susceptibility of the roots to decay was increased by relatively low doses. Decay of some lots of tomatoes was reduced, but radiation caused mottling and softening of the fruits. Decay of cucumbers, summer squash, and cantaloups was not consistently affected by radiation, but softening of these vegetables was increased by the treatments, and the fresh green appearance of cucumbers and scallop squash was impaired. Radiation caused softening, yellowing, and calyx discoloration of peppers, stem pitting and discoloration of globe artichokes, and severe spotting and discoloration of lettuce and endive, and accelerated quality loss in sweet corn

Gamma Radiation of Fruits to Extend Market Life

Report Summary: Eleven kinds of fresh fruits were irradiated to determine possible extension of the market life. Irradiation of strawberries and two varieties of fig extended the market life by several days through reduction of decay, without apparent impairment of fruit quality. Brown rot, but not Rhizopus rot, of peaches and nectarines was controlled; the peaches softened during irradiation and subsequently developed more red color but less flavor than the controls. Radiation inhibited blue coloring of plums and increased softening of the fruits. Low doses inhibited ripening of pears by several days, but the resultant ripening was abnormal. Decay of grapes was controlled less effectively by radiation than by the customary sulfur dioxide fumigation. Radiation increased rind pitting of oranges without reducing decay during semicommercial tests. Irradiated apples were softer, more shriveled, and had less flavor than the controls following storage for 3 to 6 months. Avocados and olives were severely discolored both internally and externally by radiation. Individual varieties of peaches and figs responded quite differently to radiation. Water on the surface of peaches during irradiation caused spotting of the skin. The stage of development of fungal infections determined the effectiveness of radiation as a decay-control agent for oranges. Fruit maturity within the limits of these experiments did not affect the responses to radiatio

Gamma radiation of fruits to extend market life /

no.71