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This paper describes selected chemical, physical and analytical composition of fresh chicken egg (FCE), whole egg powder (WEP), and irradiated whole egg powder (IWEP). WEP samples were irradiating at 0, 5, 10 and 15 kGy using gamma irradiator. Analysis determined the approximate compositions, chemical and physical properties including the percentage of moisture, crud fat, crude protein, total sugar, reducing sugar, and ash, total acidity, pH value, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN), viscosity and color changes in FCE, WEP and IWEP. The results indicate that the FEP and WEP could be a fine resource of nutrients for consumers to select. In general, no considered differences observed in proximate components of WEP and IWEP. The results shows some differences in the analyzed chemical and physical parameters between WEP and IWEP. However, the tested physical and chemical parameters were all well within the acceptable limits for samples of FCE, WEP and IWEP.

The aim of this work was to compare the fatty acid (FA) composition of oil from irradiated and un-irradiated cherry kernels (ChK). Cherry kernel were exposed to radiation doses of 0, 3 and 6 kGy of gamma irradiation covering the range for insect/pest disinfestations and for microbial load. The FA composition of cherry kernel oil (ChKO) was analyzed with using gas chromatography analysis. Oleic acid (C18:1) was consistently present in the highest quantity with averaged 51.07% of the total FA. The FA existing in second highest quantity was linoleic acid (C18:2) showing 38.03% on the average, followed by palmitic acid (C16:0) averaged 7.71%, stearic acid (C18:0) averaged 2.41%, palmitic acid (C16:1) averaged 0.42%, and linolenic acid (C:18:3) averaged 0.38%. indicating that it can be used for human consumption. In the present study, Palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid, SFA and USFA were not affected by irradiation or storing. Conclusively, the ChKO may have sufficient oil volume potential to be used as edible (domestic) and industrial oil.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of gamma irradiation at doses of 0, 1, 2 and 3 kGy, and storage time of olive fruits for 0, 30 and 45 days on changes in chemical properties of olive oil during storage periods of 0, 6 and 12 months. The initial acidity value (AV), peroxide value (PV), Thiobarbituric Acid (TBA), phenolic content, iodine value (IV) and saponification value (SV) of virgin olive oil obtained from olives fruits immediately after harvest (at day zero) were 1.04%, 3.06 mEqO2 kg−1 oil, 0.025 mg MDA kg−1 oil, 314.71 mg gallic acid kg−1 oil, 93.38 gI2 100 g−1 oil and 194.88 mg KOH g−1 oil, respectively. In general, the AV and PV of olive oil was increased by gamma irradiation, while the phenolic and IV of olive oil was deceased by gamma irradiation and storage time. The TBA value and SV of olive oil was not significantly (p>0.05) changed by gamma irradiation.

Background: Obesity has become a serious epidemic health problem in both developing and developed countries. There is much evidence that obesity among adolescents contributed significantly to the development of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease in adulthood. Very limited information exists on the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and associated metabolic risk factors among Syrian adolescents. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between obesity determined by body mass index and the major metabolic risk factors among Syrian adolescents., Methods: A cross-sectional study of a randomly selected sample of 2064 apparently healthy Syrian adolescents aged 18 to 19 years from Damascus city, in Syria, was performed. Body mass index and blood pressure were measured. Serum concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were determined. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the national criteria for each determined metabolic risk factor. Individuals with a body mass index 25 to 29.9 were classified as overweight, whereas individuals with a body mass index ≥30 were classified as obese. A receiver operating characteristics curve was drawn to determine appropriate cut-off points of the body mass index for defining overweight and obesity, and to indicate the performance of body mass index as a predictor of risk factors., Results: The obtained data showed that blood pressure and the overall mean concentrations of fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were significantly higher in overweight and obese adolescent groups (p <0.0001) in comparison with the normal group. Based on receiver operating characteristics calculation for body mass index and some metabolic risks, the data suggest the best body mass index cut-offs ranged between 23.25 and 24.35 kg/m 2 ., Conclusions: A strong association between overweight and obesity as determined by body mass index and high concentrations of metabolic syndrome components has been demonstrated. Although body mass index values were lower than the international cut-offs, these values were good predictors of some metabolic abnormalities in Syrian adolescents; body mass index is a good predictor of these abnormalities in this population.

Background: Microbial contamination levels and corresponding sensitivities to gamma rays (GR) and elec- tron beam (EB) irradiation were tested in chamomile (Chamomile recutta L.)., Methods: Chamomile powders were treated with 10 and 20 kGy by GR and EB, respectively. Microbiological and chemical analyses were performed on controls and treated samples immediately after irradiation, and after 12 months of storage., Results: The control samples of chamomile exhibited rather high microbiological contamination, exceeding the levels of 4 log10 CFU g-1   (CFU - colony forming units) reported by national and international authorities as the maximum permissible total count level. Irradiation with GR and EB was found to cause a reduction in microbial contamination proportionate to the dose delivered. The sterilizing effect of EB on microorganisms was higher than the GR one. A dose of 10 kGy of GR and EB significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the total bacte- rial, total coliform and total fungal contamination. A dose of 20 kGy of GR significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the total bacterial and total fungal contamination, while a 20 kGy dose of EB reduced the initial bacterial, total coliform and total fungal contamination to below detection level when the analysis was carried out im- mediately after irradiation treatment or after 12 months of storage., Conclusions: The comparative study demonstrated that electron beam was more effective for decontamination of chamomile powder than gamma irradiation.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possibility to apply gamma radiation treatment for decontaminating and assuring the quality of peanut seeds., Methods: The radiation processing was carried out at dose levels of 3, 6 and 9 kGy. The irradiated and non-irradiated (control) samples were stored at room temperature for 12 months, and analyzed for microbial load, proximate composition, sensorial acceptance and chemical properties., Results: The results indicated that gamma irradiation treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced microbial load and enhanced the safety of the irradiated samples. The irradiated samples were also acceptable sensorically. The total acidity and total volatile nitrogen (TVBN) contents increased with the increase of radiation dose. Furthermore, in general, no substantial change in proximate constituents was observed amongst the samples. No significant (p > 0.05) differences in the taste, flavor, color and texture score were observed among treatments (0, 3, 6 and 9 kGy)., Conclusions: Irradiation protected again bacterial and fungal growth and retained the nutritional components of samples during long-term storage.