Effect of irradiation and storage time on lipid oxidation of chilled pork

Effect of Preservation Methods on Physicochemical Quality, Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Activity of Stevia Leaves

The effect of freeze-drying and gamma irradiation at 0.5, 1, and 2 kGy on the physicochemical composition (moisture, fat, ash, mineral, and chlorophyll contents), microstructure, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity of stevia leaves was investigated in the present study. The results obtained indicated that freeze-drying and gamma irradiation treatments caused significant reduction ( $p$  ≤ 0.05) of moisture and fat contents in comparison with those of commercial leaves, while ash content was not significantly affected. Mineral composition was analysed. Among the analysed elements, potassium and iron levels were higher in the freeze-dried and irradiated samples, respectively. The microstructure was analysed using a scanning electron microscope. Micrographs revealed that a higher porous size structure was obtained by freeze-drying, and degradation of cell wall structure was more clearly visualized by irradiation at 2 kGy. However, the main functional groups were stable as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The effects on chlorophyll content, phenolic profile, and antioxidant properties were evaluated before and after ten months of storage. In terms of chlorophyll contents, the freeze-dried leaves exhibited the highest content. Chlorophylls a and b decreased when storage progressed for freeze-dried leaves as well as for gamma-irradiated leaves. Both preservation methods gave significant advantages in increasing the total phenolic content and DPPH scavenging activity. Moreover, a significant increase of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity was observed as the gamma irradiation dose increased. In addition, the storage time increased the amounts of polyphenols and DPPH scavenging activity. After 10 months of storage, gamma-irradiated leaves had the highest total phenolic content as well as the DPPH scavenging activity followed by freeze-dried leaves. The results indicate that freeze-drying and gamma irradiation at the studied doses could be effective postharvest methods for preservation of stevia leaf quality.

Cobalt-60 and electron beam irradiation-induced lipid oxidation in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

BACKGROUND

Irradiation can cause lipid oxidation of fish. This study aimed to examine the effect of radiation (method, dose and dose rate) on the acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content and fatty acid profile of fresh and freeze-dried largemouth bass flesh.

RESULTS

AV, PV and TBARS presented a dose-dependent increase in fish meat for both cobalt-60 (⁶⁰ Co) and electron beam (EB) irradiation. With a 6 kGy dose of radiation, all measured indices in the ⁶⁰ Co group were significantly higher than those in the EB group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). With a 3 kGy dose of radiation, AV, PV and TBARS in the 200 Gy min^-1 dose rate group were significantly lower than those in the 2 and 80 Gy min^-1 groups (P < 0.05). After ⁶⁰ Co irradiation, AV, PV and TBARS in most fresh samples were significantly higher than those in freeze-dried samples (P < 0.01). And ⁶⁰ Co irradiation decreased the unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content in fresh samples and increased the UFA content in freeze-dried samples. Our study indicated that ⁶⁰ Co irradiation, particularly at a low dose rate, accelerated lipid oxidation in fish meat. A large amount of muscle moisture enhances the amount of UFA loss in fish meat during ⁶⁰ Co irradiation.

CONCLUSIONS

A low dose (3 kGy) of EB irradiation, a high dose rate (200 Gy min^-1 ) of ⁶⁰ Co irradiation or freeze-drying treatment can alleviate the lipid oxidation of largemouth bass meat. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Modified atmosphere packaging and post-packaging irradiation of Rumex induratus leaves: a comparative study of postharvest quality changes

The effects of conventional and inert-gas enriched atmospheres, as well as those caused by different γ-irradiation doses, on buckler sorrel (Rumex induratus) leaves quality were evaluated and compared after 12 days of storage at 4 °C. The green colour of the abaxial surface of the leaves was relatively stable, as well as the carbohydrates content and the calorific value. The storage time decreased the amounts of fructose, glucose, trehalose, α-tocopherol, and β-tocopherol and increased the levels of total organic acids and δ-tocopherol. The total tocopherols content was higher in air-packaged non-irradiated leaves, antioxidant compounds that may have contributed to the preservation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Some antioxidant properties were also favoured during storage. It was found that the overall postharvest quality of buckler sorrel leaves is better maintained with the argon-enriched atmospheres, while the 6 kGy dose was a suitable option to preserve PUF+A during cold storage. This study highlights the suitability of the applied postharvest treatments and the interest to include buckler sorrel leaves in contemporary diets.