SOURCE: La Voz de Tarija
TRANSLATION: Freshplaza
Using gamma irradiation can extend the post-harvest life of pineapples by over 15 days, according to research by the National Pineapple Project, part of the National Institute for Agricultural and Forestry Innovation (INIAF).
The study focused on the MD2 variety and evaluated this technology as an innovative preservation method, including validation tests and organoleptic analysis. According to INIAF, gamma irradiation significantly reduces microbial load and improves the taste, aroma, and texture of the fruit.
The institution emphasized that this technique is an effective tool for boosting the sector’s competitiveness, offering direct benefits to both producers and consumers.
Production in the Cochabamba Tropics
Over 2,000 producer families in the Cochabamba Tropics earn a living by growing pineapples. Entre Ríos is the country’s leading producer, with 1,907 hectares and 691,578 quintals, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). It is followed by Puerto Villarroel and Villa Tunari as the main production areas.