Abstract
The current study was carried out to evaluate the effects of gamma irradiation on the epiphytic microflora and ripening process of the green Dwarf Cavendish bananas harvested at the three-quarter stage of the maturity. The mature green bananas were irradiated using Cobalt-60 as the source of irradiation at different dosages of 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 kGy. The mean life of both the experimental and control group of fruits was analyzed under ambient conditions. For all the treatments the microbial potential, the decay percent and the ripening behavior of the fruits were recorded. Results revealed that the applied radiation doses reduced the decay incidence, delayed ripening process and greatly inhibit the microbial growth (total bacterial and fungal count) thereby enhancing the shelf life of bananas. Irradiation dose of 1.0 kGy was found to be the most effective dose to positively maintain the stored bananas under ambient conditions. The mean life of bananas was extended by 14 days. The identification of the enteric bacteriaeaceae through API 20 E strips revealed the presence of Shigella sonnie on the fruit surface along with Escherichia coli and a nonfermentor spp. The dominant spoilage causing fungi identified were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Collotrichum musae, Fusarium oxysporum,Mucor spp, Lasiodiplodia theobromea and Rhizopus stolonifer .
Highlights
Horticulture crops hold eminent importance of their high return per unit time and area
The current study was carried out to evaluate the effects of gamma irradiation on the epiphytic microflora and ripening process of the green Dwarf Cavendish bananas harvested at the three-quarter stage of the maturity
Sample collection and gamma irradiation Green banana fruits (Musa sapientum cultivar 'Dwarf Cavendish'), harvested at color index no. 1 when the fruit had developed to a full threequarter grade, were obtained from the local market of Lahore
Summary
Horticulture crops hold eminent importance of their high return per unit time and area. Worldwide post harvest losses of fruits and vegetables may reach up to 30 to 40% and even much higher in some developing nations ( ZAMAN et al, 2007). Reducing these post harvest losses is vital; ensuring that sufficient food, both in quantity and in quality is available to every inhabitant in our planet. Banana is grown in tropical regions of the world where the banana sector plays a key role in international trade It stands at fourth place among the world’s most important crops after rice, wheat and maize in terms of gross value production ( NELSON et al, 2006). This period is Received: 12/03/16 Accepted: 05/10/16
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