Abstract:[Objective] The aim of the study is to explore the effects of electron beam irradiation on the sterilization and quality of Auricularia heimuer （A. heimuer) powder and pave a new way for sterilization of the powder. [Method] The A. heimuer powder samples were sterilized by electron beam irradiation at the doses within the range of 0~10 kGy. The effects of irradiation at doses of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 kGy on the microbial count were studied. The effects of irradiation at doses of 2, 4, 6 kGy on the main components, nutritional value regarding amino acids, antioxidant activity, and sensory quality were also investigated. [Result] Electron beam irradiation killed or inhibited the microorganisms in A. heimuer powder, and the D10 value of the total colony count was 1.77 kGy. When the dose was 4 kGy, the mass fractions of crude polysaccharides (14.80%), protein (13.60%), medicinal amino acids (6.34%), and essential amino acids (4.00%) in A. heimuer powder were the highest, and they all had differences from those in the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the A. heimuer powder irradiated at 4 kGy showed improvement in the nutritional value regarding amino acids (P<0.05), enhancement in the antioxidant activity (P<0.05), and no significant changes in the mass fraction of total sugar (73.4%) or sensory quality (P>0.05). [Conclusion] Electron beam irradiation could be used for the sterilization of A. heimuer powder. The best effect was achieved at an irradiation dose of 4 kGy, under which the processed A. heimuer powder had the strongest antioxidant activity and the highest nutritional value regarding amino acids without causing quality decline.
