Sensory Techniques for Measuring Differences in California Navel Oranges Treated with Doses of Gamma‐Radiation Below 0.6 Kgray

Abstract

ABSTRACT Navel oranges from California were given low postharvest doses of gamma radiation: 0.32–0.37 and 0.52–0.60 KGy (32–37 and 52–60 Krad); they were compared with nonirradiated controls for visual appearance, flavor by mouth, odor, taste and taste after sweetness suppression by gymnema sylvestre. Practiced judges were used as an analytical tool, with minimum cross‐sensory interference, while untrained subjects were used to determine whether changes might be distinguished by ‘nonexperts’. Differences were found in appearance, flavor, taste and odor although they were less extreme at the lower dose. Untrained judges could discriminate the juice at the higher irradiation level only.