Microbiological quality of brown rice, ready-to-eat pre-cut fresh fruits, and mixed vegetables irradiated for immuno-compromised patients

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) Vol. 130; pp. 397 - 399
• Main Authors: Feliciano, Chitho P., de Guzman, Zenaida M., Tolentino, Levelyn Mitos M., Asaad, Celia O., Cobar, Maria Lucia C., Abrera, Gina B., Baldos, Davison T., Diano, Gilberto T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Contaminants; Contamination; Food for immuno-compromised patients; Food irradiation; Fruits; Irradiation; Microbiological quality; Microbiology; Microorganisms; Patients; Ready-to-eat food; Vegetables; Ready-to-eat food; Food for immuno-compromised patients; Food irradiation; Microbiological quality
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2016.09.030

In this study, the microbiological quality of irradiated brown rice, ready-to-eat pre-cut fresh fruits, and mixed vegetables was determined. Results showed that irradiation of brown rice at 1kGy resulted in the decrease of the microbial contaminants up to two months of storage and was found to be undetected from the third up to the fifth month. Irradiation of brown rice did not affect its overall sensory acceptability. Also, the dose of 1kGy was found to be effective enough to significantly reduce the level of microbial contamination in all the pre-cut fresh fruits and mixed vegetables and prolonged the shelf-life of the mixed vegetables up to 4 days. Thus, the obtained results guarantee the microbiological safety of the irradiated food. It is therefore recommended for serving to immuno-compromised patients.
•Microbiological quality of irradiated brown rice and RTE pre-cut fresh fruits and mixed vegetables was analyzed.•Irradiation of brown rice at 1kGy significantly reduced its microbial load.•Irradiation of brown rice did not affect its over-all sensory acceptability.•1kGy significantly reduced the level of microbial contamination in pre-cut fresh fruits & mixed vegetables.•We therefore recommend its serving to immuno-compromised patients.