Roots of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) were exposed to gamma irradiation at doses of 5 and 10 kGy in a Co 60 irradiator. Irradiated and unirradiated samples were stored at room temperature. Microbial load of root powder were evaluated at 0 and 6 months of storage. Results indicated that gamma irradiation reduced the total aerobic count and total fungal count in comparison to the non-irradiated sample. Further, the non-irradiated samples showed the presence of E.coli and Staphylococcus aureus. On irradiation there was a drastic reduction in E.coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Microbial load was found to be increased after 6 months of storage in the non-irradiated samples, where as there were no significant differences in the irradiated samples. Thus, gamma irradiation can be used as a suitable technique for microbial decontamination of phytopreparations and products of Ashwagandha and thus increase their shelf life and stability.
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