Influence on quality indicators and shelf life of radiation treated poultry meat

Radiation treatment has emerged as a promising technology in food processing, especially for enhancing safety and extending shelf life of poultry meat. The purpose of the study was to ensure the safety and extend the shelf life of poultry exposed to gamma radiation. Radiation doses of 2 kGy, 4 kGy, 6 kGy, 8 kGy were used during irradiation, sensory evaluation and physico-chemical analyzes were carried out, comparative characteristics of irradiated and non-irradiated poultry meat samples were presented. The results showed that the shelf life of poultry meat irradiated at a temperature of 0+2℃ was extended up to 14 days. The article analyzes the effect of gamma rays on fat and moisture, it is shown that the moisture content of poultry meat decreases with an increase in the dose of radiation, at a dose of 8 kg it decreased by 12% in 14 days. It was shown that moisture content of poultry meat samples increased on day 5, after which destruction occurred. It was also shown that the fatty acid content of irradiated poultry meat samples at doses of 6 kGy and 8 kGy decreases with the extension of the storage period. Among all the tested radiation doses, 2kGy, 4kGy showed to be more effective compared to non-irradiated poultry meat with better performance in physico-chemical analysis, be it sensory evaluation. Understanding the effects of radiation on poultry is critical to ensuring consumer safety and maintaining product quality throughout the supply chain.