The storage behavior of grapes cv. Italia, immersed in hot water and irradiated with different radiation doses was studied through their chemical analysis (soluble solids, titrable acidity and pH) and sensorial analysis (overall appearance and firmness). Samples of 500g of grapes were used in 4 replicates per treatment . Part of them were immersed in hot water (50°C for 5 min) before irradiation and part was irradiated at room temperature (22°C - 25°C). The irradiation was performed using a Cobalto-60 source, type Gammabeam-650. The dose rate was 1.89 kGy/h. The radiaton doses were 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 kGy. After irradiation the samples were placed in cartoon boxes and stored under refrigeration at 6°C - 8°C. The chemical and sensorial analysis were performed after 60 days of storage. The titrable acidity and the pH increased significantly with increasing radiation doses. The heat and gamma radiation treatments, combined or not, did not extended the grape shelf life.
irradiation; grape; postharvest; sensory analysis
