Physio-chemical behavior of γ-irradiated garlic bulbs under ambient storage conditions

The present study was undertaken to study the effect of different gamma irradiation doses on storage life of garlic bulbs under ambient storage conditions. Garlic bulbs (cv. PG-18) were irradiated with gamma rays in dose range of 0-0.2 kGy and stored under ambient conditions (Temp 27-35 degrees C and RH 34-76%). Physical and chemical quality parameters i.e. physiological loss in weight (plw), rotting, sprouting, total soluble solids, firmness, ascorbic acid and allicin content of garlic bulbs was determined fortnightly to assess its storage life. On 195th day of ambient storage, the weight loss of bulbs ranged from 32.22 to 38.48% in all irradiation doses. It was observed that upto 30 days and 150 days, there was no rotting and sprouting, respectively in all the treatments. Firmness, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid and allicin content were significantly different with storage period and irradiation dose levels. It is concluded that garlic bulbs irradiated @ 0.12 kGy of gamma radiation resulted in minimum post-harvest losses along with maintaining their marketable shelf life for 4 months under ambient storage conditions. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.