SHELF LIFE EXTENSION OF PLANTAIN (MUSA PARADISIACA L.) BY GAMMA IRRADIATION

Abstract

In this study, Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) samples harvested from agricultural farmlands in Ibadan, Oyo State, were used. The hard green fruit were carefully detached from the middle fingers of each bunch to ensure uniformity of size. They were carefully selected to avoid rot and disease, serious bruises or injuries that might predispose them to spoilage. Three pieces of the plantain samples were used as control sample; hence it was not irradiated. The other portions were irradiated. The samples were taken to the radiation unit for gamma irradiation of 150Gy, 300Gy and 450Gy using Co – 60 as radiation source. After irradiation treatment, a set of unripe samples taken from each group (control sample, 150 Gy, 300 Gy and 450 Gy) was taken to laboratory for proximate and mineral analysis. The remaining plantain samples were stored in a dry cool room. In the end, when each of the four samples had been fully ripe, each was taken to laboratory for proximate and mineral analysis one after the other. The last set of the samples was stored in a room for physical observation till spoilage. The result of the analysis shows that the control sample and plantain exposed to 150 Gy had no difference in physical appearance throughout the first 6 days of exposure till ripening. The plantain sample with no irradiation (control sample) had a shelf life of twelve days; plantain sample with 150 Gy had a shelf life of fourteen days; plantain sample with 300 Gy had a fifteen and half days shelf life and plantain sample with 450 Gy had a shelf life of sixteen days.