Polyphenoloxidase activity and browning of mango fruits induced by gamma irradiation.
Thomas P., Janave M. T.
Author Affiliation: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay, India.
Journal of Food Science 38 : 1149-1152
Abstract : gamma -Irradiation at doses >75 krad caused the discolouration of skin and pulp tissues of fully mature, pre-climacteric Totapuri mango fruits stored at 25-30 deg ; the discolouration worsened with increasing radiation dose and advancing storage period. Irradiation also caused a dose-dependant increase in enzyme activity which was marginal up to 100 krad. At 200 krad, however, there was a several-fold increase in both mono- and diphenoloxidase activities, and cresolase and catecholase activities were exhibited. At 200 krad total phenols had increased by 7-8 times by the 14th day but the ascorbic acid level had dropped to a fifth.