EFFECT OF GAMMA IRRADIATION ON THE KEEPING QUALITY OF TWO CULTIVARS OF THE NIGERIAN YAM DIOSCOREA ROTUNDATA poir
EFFECT OF GAMMA IRRADIATION ON THE KEEPING QUALITY OF TWO CULTIVARS OF THE NIGERIAN YAM DIOSCOREA ROTUNDATA poir
No Thumbnail Available
Date
1992-05
Authors
OWOLABI, OLUMUYIWA ADEYEMI
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The effect of gamma irradiation on the keeping quality
of yam tuber (Dioscorea rotundata) was investigated. Two
cultivars "Amara" and "Chikakwando" harvested 7 days prior to
the experiment were cured and then treated at about 25° C
with 50, 100 and 180 GY doses of gamma irradiation. The
tubers were stored in a well ventilated barn (temp. 22 °C
35 °C and RH 22-78 %) for 40 weeks. The tubers were
monitored weekly for sprouting and rotting. The weight
proximate composition, reducing sugar, total free
amino acid, dietary fibre (cellulose, hemicellulose and
lignin) and the carbohydrate profiles were determined
every four weeks.
Irradiation completely inhibited sprouting throughout
the whole storage period and rotting was significantly reduced
(P<0.05) in Chikakwando but not in Amara. The rate of weight
loss was lecreased significantly (P<0.05) by irradiation in
both cultivars. Irradiation significantly affected (P<0.05)
the moisture, protein, total free amino acid, lipid,
nitrogen free extractive, starch, reducing sugar, soluble
carbohydrate, hemicellulose and Lignin contents of tubers of
both cultivars after dormancy breakage. Irradiation at
various dose levels did not significantly (P>0.05) affect
the chemical composition except for the starch and
reducing sugar content of Amara.
Description
Keywords
GAMMA IRRADIATION, DIOSCOREA ROTUNDATA