Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2020) 9(8): 589-602 589 Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.908.066 Influence of Gamma Irradiation on Microbial Load of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L) Kernels D. K. Gojiya*, S. P. Cholera and A. M. Joshi Research Scientist, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagdh, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Introduction Groundnut or peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) commonly known as poor people's nut. In most of the emerging countries, peanut kernels are stored as dry seeds and form a massive serve of food; however huge quantities of seeds are lost annually as a result of microbial load as well as insects‟ attacks. Presently, the inhibition of microbial infestation in food materials is the most persistent food safety problems facing by the food industry. People, all over the globe are demanding for nontoxic food as we all become more concerned about the quality of the food. Therefore, a range of preservative strategies are used to prevent and reduce infestation of molds and insects. Chemical fumigation with pesticides, such as methyl bromide and phosphine, is practiced for protection of International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 8 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com The influence of gamma irradiation on microbial load of different peanut varieties has been assessed. The healthy and mature kernels of peanut variety popular in saurastra region of India viz. GG-20 and TG-37A were naturally contaminated and conditioned with three initial moisture contents (6.0%, 8.5% and 11.0%), w.b. and packed in Poly Propylene (PP) bags of 50μ thickness. These samples were irradiated with different gamma irradiation dose (0 kGy, 2.5 kGy, 5.0 kGy, 7.5 kGy and 10.0 kGy) and stored at ambient temperature for three months. Microbial load including total plate count, yeast and mold count, E.coliand salmonella were determined for irradiated and non-irradiated peanut kernels. Microbial load of both peanut varieties for tested microorganism significantly increase in non-irradiated samples whereas irradiated samples showed decrease in population for all the conditioned moisture content as storage time progressed. The research data discovered that gamma irradiation dose of 7.5 kGy is the recommended dose for complete elimination of total plate count as well as yeast and mold; whereas the 5.0 kGy is sufficient for complete killing of E. Coli.in kernels of both peanut varieties. Salmonella was not noticed in any of the samples before irradiation and during whole storage period. There was found no steady pattern in variation in D 10 value, for all the tested microorganisms with respect to initial moisture in kernels of both the peanut varieties. Keywords Gamma Irradiation, Peanut kernels, Microbial load, Moisture content, D10 value Accepted: 10 July 2020 Available Online: 10 August 2020 Article Info