Does gamma irradiation affect physicochemical properties of honey?
OBJECTIVE
Honey is a supersaturated solution of sugars, enriched with proteins, minerals, vitamins, organic acids and polyphenols. Gamma irradiation is a physical technique of food preservation which protects the honey from insects' and microbial contamination during storage. We investigated the effect of gamma irradiation on physicochemical properties in two types of Malaysian honey, Gelam and Nenas.


METHODS
Both honeys were irradiated at the dose 25 kGy in a cobalt-60 irradiator. The physicochemical properties pH, moisture, acidity, color, and sugar content as well as vitamins C and E, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and mineral contents, for the irradiated and non-irradiated honeys were assessed.


RESULTS
The results revealed that pH, acidity, minerals and sugar contents in both types of honey were not affected significantly by gamma irradiation, while moisture, vitamin E contents and HMF level decreased significantly with gamma irradiation. However, significant increased in color intensity and vitamin C were observed after gamma irradiation for both types of honey.


CONCLUSIONS
In summary, gamma irradiation treatment of honey (in the dose mentioned above) did not cause significant changes in the physicochemical and mineral contents, except for significant alterations in color intensity, moisture, vitamins (C and E), and HMF contents.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine; University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Hussein
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Science; Canik Basari University, Samsun, Turkey.
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Yusoff
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine; University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Makpol
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Science; Canik Basari University, Samsun, Turkey.
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Mohd Yusof
D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006722:Honey / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008296:Malaysia