Com o intuito de proteger o alimento de microorganismos patogênicos, como também aumentar a vida de prateleira preservando propriedades sensoriais (ex. odor e paladar), uma vez que essas propriedades são as mais requisitadas pelo consumidor, é necessário analisar a formação dos voláteis de especiarias e ervas medicinais após a irradiação. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar a formação de voláteis após irradiação de Laurus Cinnamomum, Piper Nigrum, Origanum Vulgare e Myristica Fragans. Possíveis mudanças no odor dessas especiarias através de diferentes doses de radiação foram avaliadas com o intuito de melhorar a aplicação desta tecnologia. As amostras foram irradiadas em embalagens plásticas em um irradiador de 60Co. Doses de radiação de 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 e 25 kGy foram testadas. Laurus Cinnamomum obteve perda de 56 a 89,5% de voláteis, quando comparada à amostra não-irradiada. Diferentemente das demais especiarias, a irradiação de Myristica Fragans apresentou aumento de compostos voláteis, com exceção do 4-terpineol. A miristicina (substância tóxica em concentrações altas) apresentou aumento médio de 80%. Origanum Vulgare e Piper Nigrum apresentaram perda de compostos, principalmente quando submetidas à dose de 25kGy. Em geral, os resultados indicaram perda na qualidade sensorial das especiarias.

In order to protect food from pathogenic microorganisms as well as to increase its shelf life while keeping sensorial properties (e.g. odor and taste), once the latter are one of the main properties required by spice buyers, it is necessary to analyze volatile formation from irradiation of medicinal and food herbs. The aim of the present study was to analyze volatile formation from 60Co irradiation of Laurus Cinnamomum, Piper Nigrum, Origanum Vulgare and Myristica Fragans. Possible changes on the odor of these herbs are evaluated by characterizing different radiation doses and effects on sensorial properties in order to allow better application of irradiation technology. The samples have been irradiated in plastic packages by making use of a 60Co Gamma irradiator. Irradiation doses of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25kGy have been tested. For the analysis of the samples, SPME has been applied, while for the analysis of volatile compounds, CG/MS. Spice irradiation has promoted mostly decrease in volatile compounds when doses of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25kGy were used. For Laurus cinnamomum, the irradiation decreased volatile by nearly 56% and 89.5% respectively, comparing to volatile from a sample which has not been previously irradiated. Differently from other spices analyzed, irradiation on Myristica Fragans has increased volatile compounds except for 4-terpineol. The miristicine (toxic substance when in large quantities, commonly mentioned as narcotic) has increased by nearly 80%. For Origanum Vulgare and Piper Nigrum, significant decrease in volatile compounds have been found, mainly when it comes to 25 kGy irradiation. In general, results indicate loss of sensorial quality of spices.