Biomaterial Database

Sensorial and chemical quality of gamma-irradiated fresh-cut iceberg lettuce in modified atmosphere packages. 2002

Xuetong Fan, and Kimberly J B Sokorai

US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania 19038, USA. xfan@arserrc.gov

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of various doses of irradiation on the quality of fresh-cut iceberg lettuce and to determine a suitable maximum dose. Fresh-cut iceberg lettuce packaged in film bags was exposed to 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 kGy of gamma radiation and stored at 3 degrees C for 14 days. CO2 levels were higher and O2 levels were lower in packages containing irradiated lettuce than in those containing nonirradiated lettuce for most of the storage period. Comparison with nonirradiated lettuce indicated that total ascorbic acid (ascorbic acid plus dehydroascorbic acid) content and firmness were not significantly influenced by irradiation at 1 or 2 kGy. The overall visual appearance was best for lettuce irradiated at 1 or 2 kGy. This improved quality may be related to the high CO2 and low O2 levels observed for the irradiated samples. Electrolyte leakage for lettuce increased with higher radiation doses and was correlated (R2 = 0.99) with a soggy appearance. The leakage for lettuce irradiated at > or = 2 kGy was significantly more extensive than that for nonirradiated lettuce. The irradiation of fresh-cut lettuce in modified atmosphere packages at doses of 1 kGy and perhaps 2 kGy for safety enhancement and quality improvement is feasible.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010100	Oxygen	An element with atomic symbol O, atomic number 8, and atomic weight [15.99903; 15.99977]. It is the most abundant element on earth and essential for respiration.	Dioxygen,Oxygen-16,Oxygen 16
D002245	Carbon Dioxide	A colorless, odorless gas that can be formed by the body and is necessary for the respiration cycle of plants and animals.	Carbonic Anhydride,Anhydride, Carbonic,Dioxide, Carbon
D003257	Consumer Product Safety	The sum total of measures taken and regulatory policies enacted to ensure the safe use of consumer products.	Safety, Consumer Product,Product Approval,Product Approvals,Product Safety, Consumer
D003258	Consumer Behavior	Behavior associated with the procurement of goods, services, or experiences.	Consumer Preference,Consumer Satisfaction,Behavior, Consumer,Behaviors, Consumer,Consumer Behaviors,Consumer Preferences,Preference, Consumer,Preferences, Consumer,Satisfaction, Consumer
D004307	Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation	The relationship between the dose of administered radiation and the response of the organism or tissue to the radiation.	Dose Response Relationship, Radiation,Dose-Response Relationships, Radiation,Radiation Dose-Response Relationship,Radiation Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Radiation Dose-Response,Relationships, Radiation Dose-Response
D005511	Food Handling	Any aspect of the operations in the preparation, processing, transport, storage, packaging, wrapping, exposure for sale, service, or delivery of food.	Food Processing,Handling, Food,Processing, Food
D005514	Food Irradiation	Treatment of food with RADIATION.	Food, Irradiated,Food Irradiations,Foods, Irradiated,Irradiated Food,Irradiated Foods,Irradiation, Food,Irradiations, Food
D005720	Gamma Rays	Penetrating, high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from atomic nuclei during NUCLEAR DECAY. The range of wavelengths of emitted radiation is between 0.1 - 100 pm which overlaps the shorter, more energetic hard X-RAYS wavelengths. The distinction between gamma rays and X-rays is based on their radiation source.	Gamma Wave,Gamma Radiation,Nuclear X-Rays,Radiation, Gamma,X-Rays, Nuclear,Gamma Radiations,Gamma Ray,Gamma Waves,Nuclear X Rays,Nuclear X-Ray,Ray, Gamma,Wave, Gamma,Waves, Gamma,X Rays, Nuclear,X-Ray, Nuclear
D001205	Ascorbic Acid	A six carbon compound related to glucose. It is found naturally in citrus fruits and many vegetables. Ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient in human diets, and necessary to maintain connective tissue and bone. Its biologically active form, vitamin C, functions as a reducing agent and coenzyme in several metabolic pathways. Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant.	Vitamin C,Ascorbic Acid, Monosodium Salt,Ferrous Ascorbate,Hybrin,L-Ascorbic Acid,Magnesium Ascorbate,Magnesium Ascorbicum,Magnesium di-L-Ascorbate,Magnorbin,Sodium Ascorbate,Acid, Ascorbic,Acid, L-Ascorbic,Ascorbate, Ferrous,Ascorbate, Magnesium,Ascorbate, Sodium,L Ascorbic Acid,Magnesium di L Ascorbate,di-L-Ascorbate, Magnesium
D013696	Temperature	The property of objects that determines the direction of heat flow when they are placed in direct thermal contact. The temperature is the energy of microscopic motions (vibrational and translational) of the particles of atoms.	Temperatures