title: Chemical and sensory quality of fresh pomegranate fruits exposed to gamma radiation as quarantine treatment.
abstract: The U.S. Department of Agriculture in February 2012 approved the import of fresh pomegranates subjected to irradiation as a quarantine procedure with a minimum absorbed dose of 0.4kGy against different pests. This study evaluated the application of different gamma-irradiation doses (0.4, 1, and 2kGy) in fresh pomegranate fruits and their effect on the chemical and sensory characteristics. The total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH values remained unaffected up to 1kGy treatment. Irradiation caused a significant decrease in the total anthocyanins and phenolic content. A strong positive correlation was observed among the antioxidant activities, total phenolics and anthocyanin contents. In general, a stronger preference was shown by sensory panelists for the juice from irradiated fruits. This study provides research-based information about the application of irradiation as a quarantine disinfestation treatment to enhance the marketing and consumer acceptance of pomegranates.
authors.affiliation: (a)School of Food Science & Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hafiz Muhammad
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Shahbaz
authors.forename: Jae-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Kashif
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akram
authors.forename: Hyo-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Eun-Joo
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Joong-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000032:analysis; D001628:Beverages; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D005514:Food Irradiation; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D009812:Odorants; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D011790:Quarantine
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D002241:Carbohydrates; D010636:Phenols
keywords: Antioxidative capacity; Chemical properties; Gamma-irradiation; Pomegranates; Quarantine disinfestation treatment; Sensory profile