Effect of gamma irradiation on microbial, physical and chemical parameters of postharvest Penaeus monodon F.

Abstract Penaeus monodon is the mostly exported shrimp in Sri Lanka. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of gamma irradiation on the microbial, physical and chemical parameters of postharvest P. monodon. Samples from 10 farms were irradiated at 1 kGy, 2 kGy, 3 kGy, 5 kGy and 10 kGy. Total plate count (TPC), yeast and mold count (Y&M), coliform count, Escherichia coli count, color, texture, moisture content, water activity, pH and peroxide value were measured. Average total length and total weight were 12.69 ± 1.42 cm and 15.86 ± 5.70 g respectively. Average TPC of the control was 3.37*104±5.44*103 CFU/g and it was significantly reduced (p   0.05). Texture, moisture content and water activity were not significantly different (p > 0.05). The pH was significantly different (p