Effects of ionizing radiation on the nutritional properties of table grapes Benitaka and dark raisins

O Brasil é um grande produtor de frutas, mas com seu clima tropical (elevada umidade e temperatura) acaba proporcionando condições desfavoráveis à conservação de alimentos e principalmente das frutas. A radiação ionizante tem potencial para resolver problemas que afetam o suprimento de alimento em muitos países. Utilizando a dose certa, esta tecnologia tem a capacidade de estender o tempo de prateleira, segurança fitossanitária e controlar a maturação em frutas frescas. Existem no mundo variedades de uva onde a maioria delas pertence à espécie Vitis vinifera. Desta fruta é possível a obtenção de passas como forma de manter as características do produto natural e dificultar a proliferação de microrganismos que possam promover sua deterioração. As maiores fontes de compostos fenólicos são encontradas nas uvas quando comparado a outras frutas e vegetais e, um destes compostos é o resveratrol que se destaca no tratamento de diversas enfermidades, tais como: cardiovasculares, cancerígenas e doenças neurológicas. As amostras de uva foram irradiadas no Multipropósito de 60Co, instalado no Centro de Tecnologia das Radiações (CTR-IPENCNEN/ SP) nas doses de: controle; 0,5; 1; 1,5 e 2 kGy para as analises de cor, textura, sensorial, microbiológico e vida de prateleira. Para as análises de fenólicos totais e resveratrol utilizou-se as doses: controle; 1,5 e 3 kGy. Não ocorreu crescimento bacteriano em nenhuma das amostras. As doses de: 0,5 e 1,5 kGy da variedade de uva Benitaka tiveram boa aceitação no teste sensorial e vida de prateleira, sendo que, as uvas passas não apresentaram variações nestas analises. Foi verificado a presença de resveratrol em todas as amostras tratadas com a radiação ionizante.Brazil is a major producer of fruits, but its tropical climate with high humidity and temperature, eventually creates unfavorable conditions for the preservation of food and especially the fruit. Ionizing radiation has the potential to solve problems affecting the food supply in many countries. Using the right dose, this technology can be used to extend shelf life and safety of many fresh fruits in addition to controlling their rates of maturation. There are thousands of grape varieties around the wolrd, most of them belonging Vitis vinifera. This fruit can be dried to obtain raisins in order to maintain the natural characteristics of the product and hinder the growth of microorganisms that can promote the deterioration of fresh fruit. One of the major sources of phenolic compounds are found in grapes, compared to other fruits and vegetables. One of the phenolic compounds represented by resveratrol is that stands out when it comes to fighting various diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and neurological diseases. The irradiations were performed in 60Co irradiator Multipurpose Center installed on Radiation Technology (CTR-IPEN-CNEN/SP) with different doses: control, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 kGy for the analysis of color, texture, sensory and microbiological shelf life. For analysis of phenolic compounds and resveratrol were radiated only at doses: control, 1.5 and 3 kGy. With the results it was found that doses of 0.5, 1.5 kGy grape variety Benitaka have been accepted well both in sensory and shelf life tests. Samples of raisins had no variation in this analysis. No microbial growth was found and after treatment with radiation it was possible to prove the presence of resveratrol in all samples