title: Effect of phytosanitary irradiation and methyl bromide fumigation on the physical, sensory, and microbiological quality of blueberries and sweet cherries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to determine whether irradiation could serve as a suitable phytosanitary treatment alternative to methyl bromide (MB) fumigation for blueberries and sweet cherry and also to determine the effect of phytosanitary irradiation treatment on survival of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes on these fruit. 'Bluecrop' blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) and 'Sweetheart' cherries (Prunus avium) were irradiated at 0.4 kGy or fumigated with methyl bromide and evaluated for quality attributes during storage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Irradiation caused an immediate decrease in firmness of both fruit without further significant change during storage. Fumigated fruit, in contrast, softened by 11-14% during storage. Irradiation did not adversely affect blueberry and cherry shelf-life. MB fumigation did not impact blueberry and cherry quality attributes initially; however, fumigated fruit exhibited greater damage and mold growth than the control and irradiated samples during storage. Irradiation at 400 Gy resulted in a ∼1 log CFU g(-1) reduction in Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes counts, indicating that this treatment cannot significantly enhance safety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that irradiation at a target dose of 0.4 kGy for phytosanitary treatment does not negatively impact blueberry and cherry quality and can serve as an alternative to methyl bromide fumigation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Food Science Program, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thang
authors.affiliation: Food Science Program, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberlee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Au
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Mathematics, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
authors.forename: Cyril
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rakovski
authors.affiliation: Food Science Program, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
authors.forename: Anuradha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prakash
mesh_terms: D029798:Blueberry Plants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005514:Food Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005518:Food Preferences; D063427:Food Quality; D061353:Food Storage; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005651:Fumigation / Q000009:adverse effects; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000009:adverse effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D019601:Pacific States; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D000068220:Prunus avium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012475:Salmonella / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012677:Sensation; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D010575:Pesticides; D010860:Pigments, Biological; C005218:methyl bromide
keywords: Listeria monocytogenes; Salmonella; blueberries; damage; gamma irradiation; methyl bromide; shelf life; sweet cherries