3.2.3. Texture analysis
Fig. 2B shows texture analysis carried out in terms of the force
required to crush the seed using TA texturometer. The seeds irradiated
at 5 and 10 kGy dose exhibited significant reduction in force
(20 and 23% respectively) to crush the seeds as compared to that of
non-irradiated seeds. However, at 1.0 kGy dose this difference was
insignificant. This observation is comparable with cooking time
measurement (Fig. 2A. Section 3.2.2).
3.3. Measurement of free fatty acids
Data on free fatty acids is given in Table 3. Irradiation treatment
up to 10 kGy dose (Data for samples irradiated at 0.25 and 5 kGy is
not shown) has not resulted in changed free fatty acids value.
Oxidation of fat is known to occur during irradiation, resulting in
increased free fatty acids, which in turn results in rancid odor.
Lower fat content could be a reason, for unchanged free fatty acid
values observed in this study.
3.4. Sensory evaluation studies
Sensory properties of gamma irradiated beans are presented in
Fig. 3 A and B (at 0 h and after 6 months storage respectively).
Sensory evaluation studies using complex sensation that results
from the interaction of our senses are very important in determining
the food quality. Since sensory properties affect in very
narrow range of radiation dose as compared to other properties. It
was felt necessary to conduct the analysis at different doses in the
range of 010 kGy, viz. 0.25, 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 kGy. The taste panel
indicated equal preference for both irradiated (1.0 kGy) and nonirradiated
samples, indicating that the irradiation at dose up to
1.0 kGy had no significant effect on colour, odor, taste and texture
of the samples. Armelim et al. (2006) and Villavicencio et al.
(2000) also reported no significant change in the sensory quality
of beans up to a dose of 1.0 kGy. However, in our studies kidney
beans irradiated at 10 kGy dose showed significantly lower scores
for the attributes such as odor and taste than those for control
sample. Thus, consequently overall acceptability was affected. Similar
change in aroma in common beans irradiated at 6 and
10 kGy was reported by Armelim et al. (2006). Kimchi, a