Investigation of the Effects of Electron Beam Irradiation on the Functional Properties and Stability of Various Feed Products During Storage

This study presents a comparative analysis of the physicochemical, microbiological, and microstructural characteristics of feed products subjected to electron beam irradiation using the ILU-10 accelerator, as well as non-irradiated samples stored under suboptimal conditions. Feed product samples were obtained from a flour and feed manufacturing facility located in the city of Semey, Abai region. For each type of feed product, 20 samples were irradiated at doses of 3, 6, and 9 kGy, while another 20 samples served as a non-irradiated control group. All samples were stored in conditions that were unfavorable for long-term preservation. After one month, microbiological parameters, mycotoxin content, changes in acidity (pH), and microstructure were assessed using standard analytical methods. This study revealed a significant reduction in the number of microorganisms and preservation of key physicochemical properties of the feed products after one month of storage when irradiated at a dose of 9 kGy. These findings suggest that electron beam treatment can serve as an effective method for feed preservation in cases where storage conditions do not meet regulatory standards. However, further research is required to explore alternative approaches and gain a deeper understanding of the potential applications of electron beam technology in compound feed storage systems.