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영어

Effects of irradiation and fumigation on disinfestation and quality attributes of chestnuts during storage were studied. Fresh chestnuts were exposed to gamma irradiation (0-10 kGy) and methyl bromide (MeBr) under commercial conditions and stored at different temperatures for 6 months. Pest of quarantine importance for chestnuts, Curculio sikkimensis Heller showed 100% mortality by MeBr on 3rd day after fumigation and by irradiation at 0.5 kGy in about 3 weeks at 23±0.5℃. Respiration rates of samples one day after treatments increased in proportion to irradiation dose. Respiration pattern of MeBr group was equal to that of 10 kGy-group. Both MeBr and irradiation at 0.25 kGy or higher showed 100% inhibition of sprouting during storage at 5℃ for 6 months. Flesh firmness was significantly reduced by MeBr or irradiation over 5 kGy (p<0.05) 1 day after treatments. MeBr fumigation resulted in appreciable decrease in flesh weight, reducing sugar and ascorbic acid contents (p<0.05), as compared to irradiated samples. Irradiation at 0.5 kGy was effective as alternative to MeBr in controlling pests while maintaining overall quality of fresh chestnuts during storage.