Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of gamma radiation on the microbiota of precooked, frozen and inspected crab meat (Callinectes sapidus). After exposure of the samples to radiation from 60Co at doses of 3.0 kGy and 5.0 kGy, there were the bacteriological analysis of the enumeration of Enterococcus spp, and counting of mesophilic aerobic heterotrophic bacteria and psychrotrophic by the technique of multiple tubes and pour plate with the agar plate count respectively. There was no significant difference in reducing the bacterial groups examined between the two doses used, however, to the count of psychrotrophic there was statistical difference between the control group and irradiated. The doses of 3.0 and 5.0 kGy can be used satisfactorily for the disposal of psychrotrophic bacteria from frozen crab meat.