Irradiation for Quality Improvement, Microbial Safety and Phytosanitation of Fresh Produce

Prof. Rivka Barkai-Golan has been a senior research scientist in postharvest pathology and mycology at the Volcani Center in Beit Dagan, and a Professor of plant pathology at the Faculty of Agriculture of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where she has been honoured a Distinguished Lecturer. She has published more than 150 scientific publications, 3 chapters and 6 books, many of which include irradiation topics. She was the head of the Committee for irradiation research in the Volcani Center, Israel, an organizer of food irradiation conferences and the delegate to the International Conference in Geneva, 1988, by the FAO/IAEA/WHO/ITC-UNCTAD/GATT on the Acceptance, Control and Trade in Irradiated Food. Dr. Peter Follett is a Research Entomologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Hilo, Hawaii, where he coordinates research efforts to develop new or improved postharvest treatments to control quarantine pests that restrict the export of tropical fruits and vegetables. He has authored or co-authored 180 scientific publications and is recognized internationally as an expert in the areas of postharvest entomology and commodity quarantine treatment. His research on the radiobiology of more than three dozen insect pests has been used to develop first-ever generic irradiation treatments, which are now used worldwide and have helped expand international trade in tropical fruits and vegetables. Dr. Follett received the Entomological Society of America (ESA) Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology, the USDA Secretary’s Group Honor Award for Excellence, and the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer for his accomplishments in phytosanitary irradiation research and commodity quarantine treatment development.

1. Irradiation for Quality Improvement and Microbial Safety of Fresh Produce2. Ionizing Radiation for Shelf Life Extension3. Postirradiation Changes in Fruits and Vegetables4. Irradiation Effects on Mycotoxin Accumulation5. Sprout Inhibition of Tubers, Bulbs, and Roots by Ionizing Radiation6. Irradiation for Quality Improvement of Individual Fruits7. Irradiation for Quality Improvement of Individual Vegetables Including Mushrooms8. Safety of Fresh and Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables Following Irradiation 9. Benefits of Fruit and Vegetable Irradiation, Labeling and Detection of Irradiated Food, Consumer Attitude, and Future Research10. Phytosanitary Irradiation of Fresh Horticultural Commodities for Market Access11. Phytosanitary Irradiation: Generic Treatments12. Phytosanitary Irradiation: Combincation Treatments13. Current Issues in Phytosanitary Irradiation