Advances in Radiation Preservation Of Bulb Crops For Shelf Life Extension and Post Harvest Quality

Suresh, Kallai V. (2004) Advances in Radiation Preservation Of Bulb Crops For Shelf Life Extension and Post Harvest Quality. Masters thesis, University of Mysore.

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Abstract

This Dissertation / Report is the outcome of investigation carried out by the creator(s) / author(s) at the department/division of Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore mentioned below in this page.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Additional Information:	<p align="justify">Irradiation as a technology has been adopted for food preservation by over 40 countries and commercially there are over 60 irradiation centers functional the world over, with their numbers ever increasing. A developing country like India can exploit this technology to a great extent in ensuring complete year round supply of onion and garlic independent of the vagaries of production and distribution system. A paradigmatic shift is required not only in production and preservation system but also in the logistics involved with the distribution of food produce to enable adequate availability of all essential commodities including onion all over the country at reasonable rates rather than, certain markets having a glut with excesses while yet others face extreme shortage. Use of irradiation technology for sprout inhibition is a highly efficient and economical method to achieve enhanced storage life for bulb crops, an important segment of our country’s agricultural produce and vegetable exports. Use of proper scientifically designed shelters for storage is another effective factor to achieve extended storage life of bulb crops. Extension of storage life will enable farmers to minimize wastage, optimize production and get a good price for their produce. Compounding the economic benefits of irradiation is the beneficial product chemical characteristics that are comparable in many aspects to the unirradiated product. There are no significant losses of nutrients, pungency and flavour characteristics, latter being the main reason for consumption of onion and garlic. The texture, colour and marketability of the product is not affected too hence making γ irradiation technology viable for commercial use at a large scale to achieve extended storage life of bulb crops. The radiological and toxicological safety of irradiated products including irradiation of bulb crops at sprout inhibiting doses, have been proved by decades of research and international certification for the same has been granted by nodal agencies like FAO, WHO, IAEA and Codex Alimentarius Commission, not to mention individual countries. The advantages of low dose irradiation in sprout control and shelf life extension for bulb crops overweighs other undesirable effects like inner bud discolouration. It is hence imperative that India that is among the highest producers of bulb crops and which has myriad cultivars like the high yield, early maturity ones adopt irradiation technology on a large scale in order to achieve effective preservation and minimize post harvest losses. Research can be oriented to carry out studies with respect to specific Indian varieties of bulb crops and effect of γ irradiation on the biochemical and nutritive parameters of these.</p>
Uncontrolled Keywords:	radiation bulb crops shelf life post harvest quality
Subjects:	600 Technology > 08 Food technology > 06 Preservation and Storage 600 Technology > 08 Food technology > 23 Vegetables 600 Technology > 08 Food technology > 06 Preservation and Storage > 04 Irradiation
Divisions:	Human Resource Development
Depositing User:	Food Sci. & Technol. Information Services
Date Deposited:	27 Feb 2007
Last Modified:	28 Dec 2011 09:26
URI:	http://ir.cftri.res.in/id/eprint/412

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