Abstract
Carrot is recognized as a most nutritious vegetable since it contains essential nutrients, vitamins, fibers and minerals required for normal growth and development of all living beings. The quality of vegetables is affected during storage due to ethylene production, respiration, transpiration, growth, development, compositional changes, physiological breakdown, physical damage and pathological breakdown. Under optimal storage conditions carrots can be preserved for 6–8 months without affecting any quality attributes, only if they are not infected by microorganisms producing storage diseases. Internationally, gamma radiation (60Co and 137Cs) has been proved as a safe and effective technology in extending the shelf life of fresh products. This technology further inhibits the sprouting of vegetables, the growth of pathogens and insects and also sterilizesvegetables and fruits. Gamma irradiation is more effective in the preservation of carrots as compared to the traditional preservation methods including pasteurization, freezing, chemical, refrigeration, or canning processes. Gamma radiation can enhance the trade opportunity and export quality of fruit and vegetables produced in Pakistan. Cobalt-60 gamma irradiation has no undesirable side effects on food and don’t cause any change in physico-chemical properties including the nutritional content of the treated product. It is practical in the conditions existing in the country. In Pakistan, food can be stored by incorporating gamma irradiation practically and economically under specific conditions. Hence, radiation is a promising technique for the extension of shelf life and it can contribute towards the economic growth of the country by exporting good quality carrots.
Highlights
Vegetables are the fresh and palatable part of herbaceous plants
Carrot is a source of various crucial macronutrients and micronutrients which include carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals like K and Na, folic acid, fibers and carotenoids
Carrot comprises several carotenoids in which β-carotene act as an antioxidant, is antimutagenic and helps to boost the immunity [11]
Summary
Vegetables are the fresh and palatable part of herbaceous plants. They contain significant vitamins and minerals effectively used to develop and repair the body. It has 250 genera and almost 2800 species which are widely distributed as herbaceous plant and grow in temperate and boreal regions [3]. Carrot is referred to as a cold season crop It is cultivated across the world in the summer, spring and autumn seasons, especially in temperate countries and in winter in tropical and subtropical climates [4]. Carrot crop in Pakistan is associated with Sheikhupura, Hyderabad, Lahore, and Kasur districts. Sheikhupura and Kasur are two important districts having the largest shares of carrot cultivation in Pakistan [6]
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