The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gamma irradiation treatment (at 3, 6 and 9 kGy) on proximate composition, chemical and microbial characteristics of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica L.) kernel. The results indicate that the loquat kernel (LK) was found to be very rich in nutritional content in terms of sugars (68.76%) proteins (9.46%), reducing sugar (3.49%), crude fat (3.98%), and total minerals (7.52%). Furthermore, the LK exert good quality properties including the low acidity (0.73%), medium pH value (6.33), and acceptable total volatile basic nitrogen value (TVBN) (32.00 ppm). Gamma irradiation had no effect on the moisture, lipid, ash, and reducing sugar content of LK. While, gamma irradiation increased crude protein, and decreased the total sugar. During storage, the total fat and total protein were increased, but the total sugar was decreased. The total acidity increased due to irradiation doses and storage period. Irradiation treatment and storage time caused no significant (p >0.05) difference between the VBN composition of the LK. Total viable count (TVC), total mould and yeast count (TMYC), and total coliform count (TCC) of irradiated LK and there comparison with control samples suggest that gamma irradiation treatment at medium doses is an effective post-harvest treatment and quarantine control for TVC, TMYC, and TCC.
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