GAMMA-IRRADIATION OF SUB-TROPICAL FRUITS .2. VOLATILE COMPONENTS, LIPIDS, AND AMINO-ACIDS OF MANGO, PAPAYA, AND STRAWBERRY PULP

An investigation of volatile components, amino acids, and fatty acids in irradiated and nonirradiated mango, papaya, and strawberry pulp samples was made. Capillary gas chromatographic analyses of sample extracts have revealed at least 137 mango volatiles, 85 papaya volatiles, and 124 strawberry volatiles. Examination of the gas chromatography profiles and peak ratios from integration data of samples at the same degree of ripeness show similar patterns, and no significant difference between the volatile profiles of irradiated and nontreated samples were established by peak-by-peak analyses of variance. It was further found that the free amino acid and total amino acid content of mango, papaya, and strawberry pulp remained unchanged by irradiation. The fatty acid composition of mango, papaya, and strawberry samples was similar in irradiated and control samples. It was also noted that the organoleptic qualities, volatile profiles, and lipid content of these fruits were highly dependent on the degree of maturity. This factor must be carefully considered in future comparative studies. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.