The irradiation process is an effective method for food preservation because it reduces the pathogenic and/or the number of deteriorating microorganisms. The use of low doses did not alter the organoleptic and sensorial food characteristics significantly, especially when other factors such as packaging are considered. The objective of this work is to evaluate the color, water holding capacity (WHC), and formation of volatile bases in the meat of Santa Ines lambs treated with different diets and radiation doses. Lamb samples treated with different diets: control, TAC1, TAC2 (tannins highly condensed), and sorghum were vacuum wrapped, irradiated in the doses 2 and 4 kGy and control (without irradiation), and stored under 4 °C for 15 days. The values of a* (redness) and b * (yellowness) were not influenced by the different diets and doses used in the experiment. The values of L* (lightness) differed statistically for the control diets (without irradiation) and for 2 kGy dose diet. However, the effects of the doses in each diet were not different. The values of H and C values obtained did not show statistical differences. The storage time influenced the measures of a*, b*, L, H, and C. The irradiation reduced the levels of the volatile bases and water holding capacity (WHC) although these parameters were increased due to the storage time.
irradiation; sheep; color; tannin; volatile; texture
