Barc Develops Radiation Process For Spice Preservation

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Kochi, May 19: : As part of the efforts to add value to spices and help preserve their quality to be more competitive in the international market, the food technology department of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has evolved a radiation process. The process which has been put to commercial use in a centre in Maharashtra could be used by spice producers in Kerala, the centre for spice production, according to BARC scientist AK Sharma.

He told The Financial Express that the method was being successfully implemented by the NGO Annapurna Mahila Mandal at Vashi in Navi Mumbai. This method could be extended to Kerala as spices had lower moisture content.

However, during harvesting and post-harvest handling by farmers, traders and exporters, there was every chance of the spices getting contaminated by contact with soil containing insect eggs, mold spore and other micro-organisms.

Inadequate drying caused mold growth and formation of mold toxins on spices which could pose health risks. He said that one gram of pepper containing 10 million micro-organism when added to one kg of food could increase its microbial burden by 10,000 per gram. Among the different process of hygienising spices like heating and chemical fumigation, radiation was emerging as a better method, he said, adding that the spices were free from the harmful aspects of radiation.

About the radiation method, he said it was a cold process and did not destroy the delicate aroma components of spices. It could be applied to pre-packed or packed spices. This method had been included as part of sanitary and phyto-sanitary practices under the provisions of WTO, he added.

The method involved exposure of the commodity to short wave energy for extension of shelf-life, insect disinfestation and elimination of food-borne pathogens and parasites. There would also be sprout inhibition.

There were two methods for this one using Cobalt 60 radio isotopes. However, this method had its disadvantage as there would be the need to replenish the source. The other method using the electron beam which was very much like using the X-ray. It would have a steady source, he added.