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The feasibility of inactivating microflora of foreign spices by means of gamma radiation, without causing significant organoleptic or chemical changes, was studied. Ground cinnamon, clove, coriander, nutmeg, white and black pepper were irradiated with doses of 7 and 10 kGy1 of 60Co. Chemical analysis were performed so as to verify the Argentine Alimentary Codex specifications and the effect of radiation on those characteristics by which spices are appreciated, such as color and volatiles. No differences between control and irradiated samples could be found in any of these parameters. Microbiological results showed that aerobic plate count was reduced by 2.5 to 4.0 log cycles with 7 kGy. At 10 kGy survivors could only be found in cinnamon (1.7 log cfu/g)2. Cinnamon and clove were sensorily evaluated. No differences due to irradiation were found. So, it can be concluded that 10 kGy of gamma radiation suffice the purpose of this work. This good market condition was held at least during one year.

Egg powder was treated with 0, 2, 5 and 10 kGy of gamma radiation at 20C to inactivate Salmonella and to stabilize its microbial load. Microbial, physicochemical and sensory determinations were performed during 4 months of storage to select the optimal radiation dose to attain the objective without significantly reducing egg quality. Microbial results show that 2.0 kGy inactivated Salmonella and reduced microbial load to levels below those stipulated by the Argentine regulations. Physicochemical determinations of egg powder extracts for peroxide number, spectrophotometric measurements in the visible and ultraviolet regions, functional properties on sponge cakes made with egg powder (height, comprssion‐relaxiation cycle parameters), foam stability and viscosity showed that gamma radiation at the dose of 2 kGy, did not cause significant changes in these parameters. Higher radiation doses (5 and 10 kGy) did increase rancidity, pigment loss and protein chain scission. Sensory determinations performed on egg powder, and on cakes manufactured with it, agreed with the physicochemical results. After 110 storage days, 2 kGy was the most suitable of the tested doses.

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