Abstract
This study was to investigate the effects of combination of calcium carbonate with irradiation technique on quality characteristics, nutritional values, bioactive components, microbiological loading, and sensory evaluation of pumpkin jam during storage period for 12 months. Pumpkin jam samples were treated with calcium carbonate 1% (CCS), irradiation (2 kGy) and the combination of CCS + 2 kGy. The results indicated that the CCS + 2 kGy treatment significantly helped in retaining ascorbic acid content, which established a little decrease. CCS and CCS + 2 kGy treatments reported similar values for carotenoid contents. Whereas, CCS + 2 kGy treatment showed the highest total flavonoid content. The application of CCS + 2 kGy treatment also reduced the microbial growth for total aerobic plate, yeast and mold counts. The degree of color was higher recorded for CCS treatment, while CCS + 2 kGy treatment gained the highest scores for texture, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability at the end of the storage period. Overall the results pertained that the use of Gamma irradiation combined with calcium carbonate prolonged the shelf life of the pumpkin jam by reduced the microbial load, maintained the quality characterizes, nutritional values, bioactive components, and consumer acceptability of pumpkin jam during storage.