2.9. Sensory evaluation
A preliminary sensory testing was performed by an experienced
panel familiar with pineapple fruit characteristics comprised of 15–
20 researchers from different sections of Food Technology Division,
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, in a Taste Panel Laboratory in
individually partitioned compartments under a controlled-environment
(Meilgaard, Civille, & Carr, 1999). Sensory analysis was
carried out on radiation treated and non-treated processed samples
along storage. Panelists were previously briefed and trained to
distinguish different pineapple samples and score their respective
quality attributes including appearance, colour, texture, odour,
taste, and overall acceptability. A 7-point hedonic scale (1-very
poor, 2-poor, 3-fair, 4-satisfactory, 5-good, 6-very good, and
7-excellent) was used for grading the samples during evaluation.
2.10. Statistical analysis
All the above detailed experiments were repeated in three
different batches. In each batch, 3–4 replicates were taken for every
tested parameter. The data obtained were expressed in terms of
mean and standard deviations (SD). The mean values were
compared using one way ANOVA (Analysis of variance) test for
significance of their difference (P< 0.05). The data were analyzed
using the Origin 6.1 software version v6.1052 (B232) (OriginLab
Corp., Northhampton, Mass., USA).