چكيده به لاتين
Food irradiation is a process in which the food materials are exposed to a certain amount of electromagnetic waves.This method of food preservation was first introduced in 1905. In this method, electromagnetic radiation remove or inactivates microorganisms and insects, delays the fruiting of fruits and vegetables, prevents the germination of tumorous and root crops. In this process, the rays penetrate the food materials, affecting the DNA and RNA of the microorganisms in it and causing its destruction. Overall, it can be concluded that irradiation process is an important factor for increasing shelf life under specific environmental conditions for food products. Agricultural products, especially in the post-harvest period, are perishable due to high humidity, and during this period, most of them (between 5 and 80%) are destroyed. "Safe harvesting" is a term that refers to the reduction of waste and spoilage in agricultural products and is one of the most effective ways to provide food for society. In general, the most common methods of food preservation include pasteurization, sterilization, refrigeration, drying, use of chemicals, high hydrostatic pressure, cold plasma, pulsed electric field, irradiation, etc. The use of chemical materials has been considered as the most appropriate method of storing agricultural products for many years. But scientists' studies show that the use of chemicals, in addition to environmental risks, will cause various diseases, include cancer, in consumers. Therefore, the use of ionizing radiation (gamma, x-ray and electron) and non-ionizing radiation (ultraviolet rays, microwaves, radio waves ...) under the title of irradiation technology, as a new method to preserve agricultural products in order to reduce and eliminate chemicals and the determination of appropriate alternatives has been proposed. The use of this technology will not only minimize the wastage of agricultural products, but it also preserve their quality during transportation, relocation, storage and distribution, and will prolong their shelf life.
