Effect of Varying Intensity of Ionizing γ- and Electronic Radiation on the Microbiological Contamination and Antioxidant Activity of Cocoa Powder

The effect of cocoa powder exposure to irradiation by various types of ionizing radiation on the amount of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, yeast and molds was studied. Doses of 12 kGy is found to be enough for reducing amount of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, yeast and molds below normative documents’ limits. The activity of flavonoids in irradiated and control samples of cocoa powder was also evaluated via spectrophotometric analysis. A conclusion about the possibility of implementing ionizing radiation for reducing amount of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, yeast and molds in cocoa powder without the loss of quality was made.