IRRADIATION OF DATES - INSECT DISINFESTATION, MICROBIAL AND CHEMICAL ASSESSMENTS, AND USE OF THERMOLUMINESCENCE TECHNIQUE

Irradiation of dates (Khalas variety) at 0.9 kGy was sufficient to eli minate single insect infestation (Oryzaephilus surinamensis) and mixed infestation (O. surinamensis and Tribolium castaneum), whereas 0.3 kG y was effective only in controlling single infestation. Sensory proper ties were not affected but irradiation contributed to some reduction i n microbial counts immediately after irradiation and counts remained l ow till the end of 6 months-storage period. All sugars were significan tly reduced immediately after irradiation but they increased gradually with increasing storage time. Thermoluminescence (TL) technique was u seful in discriminating between irradiated and unirradiated dates duri ng the entire storage period but was less sensitive as far as the dose estimation is concerned. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.