The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of gamma irradiation on thyme microbial load in order to improve its hygienic quality since thyme is used as a local (Syrian) ethnic cold ready to eat meal. The hygienic quality of non-irradiated (control samples) of thyme meal was estimated by calculating the total viable count (TVC), total coli form (TCC) and moulds and yeast count (MYC) that exhibited rather a high microbiological contamination. A 10 kGy dose reduced the TVC, TCC and MYC from 8.25 to 2.97 log cfu. g-1, from 6.54 to less than 1 log cfu. g-1, and from 4.81 to 2.13 log cfu g-1, respectively. However, a dose of 20 and 30 kGy eliminate all micro-flora (TVC, TCC and MYC) from thyme meal. The D10 value for TVC, Salmonella spp, E. coli and Aspergillus flavus was determined as 2.014, 0.625, 0.385, and 0.588 kGy respectively. Our data revealed that irradiation significantly reduced the thyme meals microbial loads which gives the maximum value of these safety parameters.
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