Effect of electron beam and gamma-irradiation on breathable MAP for fresh producesEffect of electron beam and gamma-irradiation on breathable MAP for fresh produces

Ramakrishna A*, Ravi N, Petwal VC** and Raju PS Defence Food Research Laboratory, DRDO, Siddarthanagar, Mysore-570 011, India.Defence Food Research Laboratory, DRDO, Siddarthanagar, Mysore-570 011, India.

*dr.rk2007@rediffmail.com, ** RRCAT, Indore,

IntroductionFood commodities are disinfected with chemicals like ethylene-oxide (ETO),

Process protocol for minimal processing of pre-cut Pineapple and Carrot Breathable MAP for minimal processing of precut Pineapple and Carrot

Food commodities are disinfected with chemicals like ethylene-oxide (ETO),methyl-bromide (MB) and ethyl-dibromide (EDB), which cannot penetratethe food, and leaves behind a residue, which are toxic and carcinogenic in

Fruit / Vegetablethe food, and leaves behind a residue, which are toxic and carcinogenic innature. They also pose a threat to the environment and are hence beingphased out. Heat treatment of food can cause significant loss of flavour andaroma, as well as affect the texture.

Surface decontamination

Phyto-sanitation with chlorinated wateraroma, as well as affect the texture.Thus, a ‘Cold Process’ for treating food is required.Treatment of food in bulk or packed form by exposing them to electron beam

Phyto-sanitation with chlorinated water

Size reductionTreatment of food in bulk or packed form by exposing them to electron beam& controlled emissions of Ionizing Radiation from Cobalt 60 radio-isotopewas carried out.

Surface Dewateringwas carried out.

Infusion of permitted anti-browning, anti-microbial

agents SEM micrographs of breathable filmBulk irradiation processing unit �������������������������� �������

TreatedUn Treatedagents

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Material LimitationsLimitations of commercially available non–breathable material Innovative Breathable MAP

Storage at LT (6�C) & RTMaterial LimitationsFlouropolymers Like tetrafluoroethylene

,polychlorotriflouroethylene, polyvinyl flouride , Liberates flourine gasd, disintegrates to

powder

Storage at LT (6�C) & RT

Physico-chemical values of Minimally processed Pineapple Microbial load in Microbial load in,polychlorotriflouroethylene, polyvinyl flouride ,

polyvinylidene flouride , ethylene –tetraflouroethylene,flourinated ethylenepropylene

powder

Cellulosics like esters and ethers , paper , card Discolour and embrittlement

Physico-chemical values of Minimally processed Pineapple and Carrot in Breathable MAP

Pineapple Carrot Functional properties of breathable film

Microbial load inUntreated Sample

Microbial load intreated Sample

Un Treated Treated

Cellulosics like esters and ethers , paper , card corrugated , fibres

Discolour and embrittlement

Polyacetals (Delrin , Celcon) EmbrittlementPolyacrylics like polymethylmethacrylate , Material yellows

ParametersPineapple Carrot

Initial 10 days (RT)25 days

(LT) Initial5 days (RT)

15 days (LT)

PLW (%) - 0.11 0.09 - 0.16 0.14

Sl. No.z

Properties % Change

Functional properties of breathable film

Pore size and its distribution Polyacrylics like polymethylmethacrylate ,

polymetthylmethacrylate , polyacrylonitrile , Material yellows

Polyamides ( Nylons) like aliphatic and amorphous Discolours

PLW (%) - 0.11 0.09 - 0.16 0.14pH 3.96 4.02 4.63 4.16 4.21 4.45

Acidity 0.43 0.37 0.25 0.28 0.30 0.29

No.z1 Tensile strength (Kg/cm²)

MDCD

+10+18

Sample Pore diameter (�m)Smallest Mean MaxPolyamides ( Nylons) like aliphatic and amorphous

grades , aromatic polyamide Discolours

Polycarbonate like polyethylene , HDPE, UHMPE Discolours

Polymethylpentene Oxidation degradation

Acidity (% citric acid) 0.43 0.37 0.25 0.28 0.30 0.29

Total Carotenoids 1.56 1.15 0.92 3.86 3.24 2.04

CD +182 % Elongation at break

MD -1.5

Smallest Mean flow

Max

Breathable film 12.80 30.52 80.57Polymethylpentene Oxidation degradationPolypropylene like homopolymer Orientation embrittlement

Polyvinylbutyral Polyvinylchloride Yellows

Carotenoids (mg/100mg)

1.56 1.15 0.92 3.86 3.24 2.04

Ascorbic acid (mg/100mg) 47.49 23.74 29.06 18.32 12.44 11.23

MDCD

-1.5-1.8

3 Tearing resistance (gms)MD -1.1

Breathable film 12.80 30.52 80.57Control PP

(commercial)0.25 4.85 9.86

Polyvinylbutyral Polyvinylchloride Yellows

Polyvinylidene chloride Yellows , releases HCL

(mg/100mg) 47.49 23.74 29.06 18.32 12.44 11.23

O2 % - 1.08 0.88 - 1.61 1.12CO2 % - 5.17 5.73 - 5.29 5.14

MDCD

-1.1-1.6

4 WVTR (g/cm²/day) -3.55 Porosity (% transmission) -2.8

(commercial)

The electron beam & gamma-irradiation of packaging material either for The tensile strength of CF irradiated decreased to 30%. Whereas the percentage elongation at

Objectives:CO2 % - 5.17 5.73 - 5.29 5.14

SHELF LIFE 10 days (RT)25 days (LT)5 days (RT)15 days (LT)

5 Porosity (% transmission) -2.8Results and Conclusion:

The electron beam & gamma-irradiation of packaging material either forsterilization or for in-pack processing of whole and pre-cut fruits andvegetables has immense potential which needs for further exploration. To

The tensile strength of CF irradiated decreased to 30%. Whereas the percentage elongation atbreak of CF irradiated decreased to 42%, at 3% aqueous acetic acid, absorbed doses did notaffect overall migration of all investigated samples with the exception of the LDPE film. An

Surface plots with effects on Breathable attributes

16vegetables has immense potential which needs for further exploration. Todevelop gamma irradiation stable packaging material in order to assureripening delay, insect disinfection and shelf life extension of the produces

affect overall migration of all investigated samples with the exception of the LDPE film. Anabsorbed dose of 900 Gray caused an increase in CF overall migration values and a decreaseoverall migration values in developed film. Electron beam & Gamma irradiation, apart from

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ripening delay, insect disinfection and shelf life extension of the produceseconomically and its characterization completed.

Methodology:

overall migration values in developed film. Electron beam & Gamma irradiation, apart fromsterilization, was very effective at improving the water barrier properties. The developedbreathable package remained unaffected both in physico-mechanical properties, porosity and

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Methodology:migration levels indicating that the material is suitable for MAP of fresh produces forirradiation processing.Treatment of produces packed in developed material were carried out by

exposing them to electron beam (RRCAT) & controlled emissions ofBenefits:•Enhance shelf life.

Applications:• Inhibit sprouting in onions, potatoes, ginger andexposing them to electron beam (RRCAT) & controlled emissions of

Ionizing Radiation from Cobalt 60 radio-isotope. The effect of gamma-irradiation doses (200 Gray to 1000 Gray) on the physico-mechanical

•Enhance shelf life.•Minimize losses due to spoilage and disease.•Nutritional value least affected by radiation

• Inhibit sprouting in onions, potatoes, ginger andgarlic.

• Delay ripening in fruits like mangoes,irradiation doses (200 Gray to 1000 Gray) on the physico-mechanicalproperties and permeability’s were tested in accordance with ASTMprocedure including SEM, porosity, Infrared spectra, and overall migration of

•Nutritional value least affected by radiationprocessing.•Delay ripening & senescence in F&V allow

• Delay ripening in fruits like mangoes,strawberries, pomegranate, pineapple, etc.

• Eliminate microbial contamination in spices.developed breathable MAP and commercial films (CF) were studied withrespective non-irradiated (control) films.

Delay ripening & senescence in F&V allow storage at higher temperature.

• Eliminate microbial contamination in spices.