Impact of 60co on nutritional component of apple (Malus Domestica)

Apple is one of the valuable fruit that belongs to the family Rosaceae. Post-harvest losses occur due to transportation, rough mishandling during harvesting and storage and most important microbial attack. The present study was conducted to observe the effects of gamma radiation on nutritional value of apples, before and after gamma irradiation. The doses used for radiation were of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kGy and apples were stored under refrigerated temperature (4ºC). Then proximate analysis was carried out, that is used to determine effects of gamma radiation on nutritional component of apples. These parameters involve % of weight loss, loss of ash content, loss of moisture content, loss of fat or lipid content, loss of crude fibre, loss of crude protein and also sugars or carbohydrates. By measuring these parameters, before and after gamma radiation, nutritional value of control and radiated apples with different doses was evaluated. Results showed there is not a major difference on nutritional value of apples with control and radiated samples and hence can increase the shelf life that would be economically useful by increasing export.