Low dose gamma‐irradiation enhances shelf‐life and contents of serotonin and melatonin in green plantains (Musa paradisiaca): A study involving antioxidant synergy

Green plantains (Musa paradisiaca) were gamma‐irradiated in the dose range of 0.04–1 kGy and stored under ambient condition (23 ± 2℃, 70 ± 2% RH) in an environmental chamber. The objectives of the present study were to extend the shelf‐life of plantains and to enhance its contents of bioactive antioxidant molecules (namely serotonin and melatonin) by gamma‐irradiation. Several physicochemical and phytochemical assays conducted with the irradiated samples (and non‐irradiated control set) established 0.04 kGy‐irradiated plantains with a lead of 8 days in shelf‐life to be the “best shelf‐stable”. The plantains when irradiated at 0.6 and 1 kGy had significantly enhanced contents of melatonin (2.45 folds [146.58%]) and serotonin (1.44 folds [44.10%]), respectively. Moreover, in the plantains having highest serotonin (1 kGy‐irradiated on day 10), synergism among the said antioxidants was also preserved. This is the first report on utilization of gamma‐irradiation for enhanced production of phyto‐antioxidants in green plantains. NOVELTY IMPACT STATEMENT: Gamma‐irradiation is a well‐known technology of food preservation; however, very few studies have reported on its effectiveness in enhancement of contents of phytoremediator therapeutic molecules present in agricultural produces. This study aims to employ gamma‐irradiation not only for extension of shelf‐life of an agro produce but also aims in exploring its usage for enhancement of contents of bioactive antioxidant molecules of immense therapeutic importance (serotonin and melatonin) in the produce thereby conferring the irradiated agro‐produce to be a potential source of food antioxidants. This study also provides a possible means of valorization of green plantains, post senescence through utilization of completely senesced plantains as potential sources of these biotherapeutic molecules which have promising uses as nutraceutical food‐cum‐therapeutic supplements. Thus, induction of overproduction of phyto‐antioxidants leading to utilization of plantain waste is the novelty of this work.