Abstract: Tomato production is a source of income to most rural producers in developing countries like Nigeria. Despite the numerous benefits from this crop, challenges of postharvest losses occasioned by lack of preservation techniques and storage facilities are making its production unprofitable in most developing countries in Africa. This research investigated the effect of X-Irradiation on the shelf life and proximate composition of some varieties of tomatoes commonly grown in Benue State. Five samples each of fully ripe Plum (Lycopersicon esculentum L.-Oval-shaped tomato of Italian origin), Juliet (Lycopersicon esculentum L.-1999 All American Selection Winner), Better Boy (Lycopersicon esculentum L. of USA origin), Giulietta F1 (Lycopersicon esculentum L. – a hybrid from France) and Cherry (Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme) tomatoes were collected from an experimental farm in Wannune, kilometer 54, Makurdi-Gboko road and exposed to X-irradiation doses of 0.10 mGy, 0.30 mGy, 0.61 mGy, 1.06 mGy and 1.67 mGy using the X-ray machine (Model: 1.2UG13GN) located at Musafaha Imaging Centre Makurdi, Benue State. Results of the investigation revealed that 0.30 mGy and 0.61 mGy are adequate for extension of shelf life of Plum tomatoes by 7 days; 0.30 mGy was effective in extension of shelf life of Juliet and Better Boy tomatoes by 5 and 6 days respectively while 0.61 mGy also proved adequate for extension of shelf life of Giulietta F1 and Cherry tomatoes by 6 and 7 days respectively. Proximate analysis of X-irradiated tomatoes showed no significant changes in the ash, moisture, fat, fibre and carbohydrate contents of all varieties of tomatoes considered (P˃0.05) except the protein contents of Juliet, Better Boy and Giulietta F1 that were significantly affected (P˂0.05). X-irradiation doses in the range of 0.30 mGy – 0.61 mGy are effective for extension of shelf life of tomatoes commonly grown in Benue State.Abstract: Tomato production is a source of income to most rural producers in developing countries like Nigeria. Despite the numerous benefits from this crop, challenges of postharvest losses occasioned by lack of preservation techniques and storage facilities are making its production unprofitable in most developing countries in Africa. This research investi...Show More
Abstract: Our study takes place in the radiology room of the University Hospital Center (CHU) of Bouaké in the central region of Cote d’Ivoire. The work involved 60 patients, including 30 for the examination of the front chest and 30 for the examination of the front lumbar spine. We used a DAP- meter to measure the dose in the air each time the beam was sent to the patient by the technician medical imaging. By a calculation we were able to obtain the Entrance Surface Dose ESD for each patient and the 75th percentile allowed us to obtain the Diagnostic Reference Level (DRL) for each of the two examinations at the CHU of Bouaké. The comparison of the DRL to the mean dose ESDm allows us to say that the dose is not optimized for the examination of the front chest and that corrective measures are to be taken by choosing appropriately the voltage, the charge, the distance focus detector (DFD) and using a total filtration of at least 2.5mm Al. However, for the examination of the front lumbar spine, although the dose is optimized, we can further increase the voltage and decrease the charge within the limits recommended by the learned societies of radiology, to reduce the dose. The DFD can be increased to 140 cm and also increase the total filtration to at least 2.5mm Al.Abstract: Our study takes place in the radiology room of the University Hospital Center (CHU) of Bouaké in the central region of Cote d’Ivoire. The work involved 60 patients, including 30 for the examination of the front chest and 30 for the examination of the front lumbar spine. We used a DAP- meter to measure the dose in the air each time the beam was sent...Show More
