This study was conducted in order to investigate the combined effects of gamma irradiation (0, 2.5, and
5 kGy) and antioxidant combination, mugwort extract (ME) and ascorbic acid (Aa), on the pH, total color
difference (ΔE), hue angle (H1), 2-thiobarbituricacid-reactive substances (TBARS) values, residual nitrite
contents, and sensory evaluation in chicken sausage during storage. The pH values and sensory
properties, except for color, of chicken sausage were not significantly affected by adding ME or treating
irradiation during storage. However, ΔE, and H1 values of samples containing ME (either alone or with
Aa) were higher than that of control, whereas irradiation had no significant effect during storage. A
combination of MEþAa (0.2% MEþ0.05% Aa) was effective at delaying lipid oxidation in irradiated
chicken sausage. In addition, nitrite contents were reduced by gamma ray as a dose dependent manner
and, particularly in MEþAa was most effective in decreasing the residual nitrite. Our results suggested
that gamma irradiation combined with an antioxidant mixture is a useful technology for reducing the
residual nitrite and retarding the lipid oxidation in chicken sausage