Effect of Irradiation on The Quality of Dried Figs

Abstract

The research was conducted to find out the effect of solar irradiation on proximate composition of Figs. It was observed that the fresh figs contain 21% moisture, 3.3% ash, 6.61% crude proteins, 2.66%, fats, 4.23% fibers, 69.49% carbohydrate and 410 Kcal/100 g of energy. The total plate count and total caliform count was studied. The highest value of plate count was notes 23000 cfu/g before washing while 13000 cfu/g was reduced after washing the sample and the total caliform value was reduced to 6000 from 8000 cfu/g due to the washing the sample with the double distilled water. The is sample was irradiated for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 kg, respectively for 45 min in gamma research unit at NIFA, Peshawar having the activity of 50 Kci. At last the sample was not infected by insects during the first three months of storage and a little difference in the color from lighter to darker transmittance.