Gamma irradiation effects on physical properties of squash seeds

Abstract

In order to study the effects of gamma radiation on some physical properties of squash (Cucurbit pepo. L) seed, five irradiation doses (25, 50, 75, 100 and 200 GY) have been used.  Some physical properties, including dimensional properties (length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, volume, surface area, projected area, flakiness ratio and elongation ratio), mass, 1,000 seeds mass, bulk density, true density and porosity of gamma irradiated squash seeds were measured.  Statistical indices including maximum, minimum, average, variance, skewness and kurtosis, for dimensional properties and mass of the seeds were calculated.  Results revealed a significant raise in hollow seeds number by increasing gamma irradiation dose from 5% for 25 GY to nearly 100% for 100 and 200 GY.  On the other hand, length, width, thickness, mass of single seed, 1,000 seeds mass and porosity showed an increase followed by a decrease with the increasing gamma irradiation dose.  With the increasing gamma irradiation dose, true and bulk densities were found to decrease from 338.41   kg m^-3 to 214.01 kg m^-3 and 420.16 kg m^-3 to 256.12 kg m^-3, respectively.  In 100 and 200 GY all seeds were hollow and very small, therefore dimensions and mass of these seeds were not measured.

Keywords: gravimetric properties, dimensional properties, squash seeds, irradiation, gamma ray