4. Conclusion
Irradiation increased lipid oxidation in meat, but cooking was
more critical in accelerating lipid oxidation during storage. Sulfur
volatiles, such as dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide, which
are responsible for the irradiation off-odour, were mainly detected
in irradiated meats regardless of species and cooking. Irradiation
off-odour was diminished when meat samples were stored in aerobic
conditions for 6 months. Lipid oxidation was an important
quality problem in both precooked irradiated and irradiated
cooked meat during frozen storage. Carbon monoxide was
produced by irradiation and remained in the meat during 6 months
of frozen storage. Irradiating meats after cooking produced
similar lipid oxidation, volatiles and color problems to irradiating
them before cooking. Combination of antioxidants would be
important for the irradiated meats to be stored under aerobic
conditions.