Quality of apples following gamma irradiation and cold storage

Abstract

The physico-chemical and organoleptic quality changes in apple cvs ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Royal Delicious’, ‘Red Delicious’ and ‘Rich-A-Red’ exposed to gamma radiation doses of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 kGy for quarantine and preservation purposes, were studied up to 6 months of storage at 2–4°C. Among the four cvs, ‘Rich-A-Red’ treated with 0.1 kGy dose showed better retention of sensory attributes and minimal changes in texture, total soluble solids, acidity and vitamin C content during storage. Results indicate that irradiation has commercial potential for apples as an alternative quarantine treatment for export requirements.