TBA values and carbonyl content for irradiated samples of ground chicken meat were higher than for nonirradiated samples. Addition of antioxidants tocopherol (natural) or BHT (synthetic) resulted in retardation of oxidative rancidity (p<0.05). Meat treated with antioxidants prior to irradiation had lower TBA values as compared to untreated irradiated counterparts. Free fatty acid (FFA) values decreased after irradiation. Addition of antioxidants prior to irradiation showed a synergistic effect in decreasing FFA content. TLC of muscle lipids indicated a reduction in the triacylglcerols content with concomitant increases in FFA of all samples during storage. All irradiated meats were acceptable for consumption up to 4 wk of storage.

Chicken, lamb and buffalo meat were subjected to low‐dose gamma irradiation (2.5 kGy) and stored at 0–3C. Lipid peroxidation in terms of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) number and carbonyl content were monitored during storage. While irradiated meat showed slight increase in TBA number and carbonyl content on storage as compared to nonirradiated meat, this did not affect the sensory qualities of meat. Free fatty acid content decreased markedly on irradiation. Irradiated meats were microbiologically safe and sensorily acceptable up to 4 weeks in the nonfrozen state (0–3C) while nonirradiated meat had a shelf‐life of less than 2 weeks.

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Influence of low dose gamma irradiation on the storage stability of fresh lamb meat (prepacked chunks and mince) at 0-3°C was examined by sensory, microbiological and chemical criteria. The meat chunks irradiated at 1.0 kGy and 2.5 kGy remained in acceptable condition for 3 and 5 weeks respectively, whereas the corresponding shelf life for irradiated (1.0 kGy and 2.5 kGy) mince were 2 and 4 weeks respectively. In contrast, unirradiated meat chunks and mince spoiled within one week of storage at 0-3°C.

The effect of gamma-irradiation doses of 1, 2, 4 and 5 kGy on ESR signal intensity in pre-packed irradiated lamb meat chunks containing bones was studied. Irradiationinduced a characteristic ESR signal in bone that was not detected in non-irradiated samples and its intensity was proportional to irradiation dose up to 5 kGy. In samples irradiated to 2.5 kGy for shelf-life enhancement, ESR signal intensity was monitored immediately after irradiation and subsequently at weekly intervals during storage at 0-3 ЊC and after cooking by different methods. Hind leg bones (femur) displayed a higher signal intensity than rib bones. The ESR signal intensity faded by 30 and 42% during 4 weeks at 0-3 ЊC in hind leg and rib bones, respectively. The magnitude of ESR signal in hind leg bone declined by a maximum of 30% upon pressure cooking (for 15 min), 10% on microwave cooking (for 5 min) and 13% after boiling (for 30 min). However, in the case of rib bones, all cooking methods reduced the ESR signal by about 40%. Storage of irradiated freeze-dried bone powder samples at ambient temperature also resulted in slight reduction in ESR signal intensity. Results point to the suitability of ESR technique for detection of irradiated lamb meat even after storage or cooking, and also in samples that had been stored and then cooked.