ANSTO researchers have used MRI scans to show that irradiation to kill pests in mangoes does not degrade or damage the fruit.
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| Mangoes, fruits and vegetables are irradiated to minimise the spread of insects, pests and diseases |
Many fruits and vegetables are irradiated with gamma radiation before they are transported interstate or overseas.
Gamma radiation kills pests and disease that may be living on or inside the fruit to prevent their spread into important agricultural areas. The radiation does not make the fruit radioactive and it is safe to eat.
Some mango growers were concerned that gamma irradiation may cause cell walls in the fruit to break down, causing browning or bruising to the fruit and reducing their shelf-life.
To test this, ANSTO researchers used magnetic resonance imaging, a technique usually used for medical scans, to measure the internal browning and bruising in irradiated and non-irradiated mangoes.
Researchers found that MRI is a very useful method for detecting internal bruising in mangoes. There was no difference in the amount of internal bruising in irradiated and non-irradiated mangoes.
Published: 25/05/2012