Abstract
This study investigated the free fatty acids, fatty acid profile, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity of sesame seed oil extracted from γ-irradiated seeds and the decontamination effects of the treatment on fungal incidence in the seeds. Gamma irradiation reduced (P ≤ 0.05) fungal growth and colony forming units of sesame seeds in a dose-dependent manner. The free fatty acid content of sesame oil decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in irradiated samples compared to non-radiated controls, but there was no difference (P ≥ 0.05) between samples treated at doses ≥ 1.0 kGy. A concomitant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in total phenolic and scavenging activity was observed in the oil extracted from γ-irradiated sesame seeds in comparison with non-radiated samples, while free fatty acid (FFA) content decreased. The results obtained in the present study demonstrate that γ-irradiation at low doses can be used as an effective post-harvest preservation method for sesame seeds without a major effect on the quality of sesame oil.
Highlights
The fungal growth reduced to 76.0% at 0.5 kGy radiation dose, reaching the lowest value (9.3%) in the sample treated at 2 kGy
The results revealed that the free fatty acid (FFA) in sesame seed oil decreased with an increase in the radiation dose
The inhibition of fungal growth and colony formation by gamma rays could be attributed to the damaging effects of gamma rays on the fungal membrane which might lead to losses in proteins, nucleic acids, and osmatic balance, thereby causing the death of the fungal cells (McNamara et al, 2003)
Summary
The seeds were transported to the laboratory immediately after harvest, cleaned, sorted and kept in plastic bags at 4 °C before use. Sesame seeds were sealed in plastic bags prior to and during the irradiation process. To ensure uniform dose delivery and minimize the variations in radiation received by the samples, both sides of the samples were exposed to irradiation (double-side irradiation). Three dosimeters (Gafchromic HD-810 film, International Specialty Products, NJ, USA; FAO/IAEA/USDA 2003) were included in each batch of seeds and read after irradiation with a Radiachromics reader (Far West Technology Inc., CA, USA) to measure the dose received by the batch. Triplicate samples of sesame seeds were irradiated, and all treatments
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