Gamma irradiation as a safe alternative to preserve the chemical and bioactive characteristics of plants used for therapeutic purposes

Abstract

Plants used by the industry require effective conservation and decontamination technologies in order to ensure their use in the best conditions. Irradiation is a technology for plants decontamination that maintains their chemical, organoleptic, nutritional and bioactive properties. This study evaluated the effects of gamma irradiation on chemical, nutritional and antioxidants properties of several medicinal and aromatic plants. In general, a comparison between non-irradiated (control) and irradiated samples showed that irradiation treatment did not originate a specific chemical profile. Thus, gamma irradiation (up to 10 kGy) is a viable technology for the studied species.