Elias, M.I., Madureira, J., Santos, P.M.P., Carolino, M.M., Margaca, F.M.A. & Verde, S.C. (2020) Preservation treatment of fresh raspberries by e-beam irradiation.
Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, 66, 102487. DOI:10.1016/j.ifset.2020.102487 (IF2020 5,916; Q1 Food Science & Technology)E-beam irradiation was studied as a post-harvest treatment for red raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.). Microbial inactivation (natural microbiota and potential pathogenic bacteria) and bioactive properties (phenolic content, vitamin C content and antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity) of these fruits were evaluated before and after irradiation and during storage of 14 days at 4 °C. A reduction of 2 log CFU/g of mesophilic bacteria and 3 log CFU/g on filamentous fungi, and no detection of foodborne inoculated pathogens (3 log CFU/g) was achieved with an e-beam treatment at 3 kGy and during 7 days of refrigerated storage. Regarding bioactive properties, the results suggested that irradiation could preserve the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of raspberries through 7 days of cold storage, even though a decrease of 80% on ascorbic acid concentration was observed. Furthermore, no in vitro inhibitory effect on human cells lines was observed for the extracts from e-beam-treated raspberries. The overall results suggested that use of e-beam irradiation as post-harvest treatment of raspberries as an emergent, clean and environmental friendly process to extend the shelf-life of this fruit with safety and preservation of bioactivity.
Maria Manuela Spratley Saraiva de Lemos Carolino SymAction
