Antimicrobial properties of natural substances in irradiated fresh poultry

This study was undertaken to determine if a combined treatment (marinating in natural plant extracts or vacuum) with irradiation could have a synergetic effect, in order to reduce the dose required for complete elimination of Salmonella on fresh poultry. The effect of these combined treatments on the shelf-life extension was also evaluated. The fresh chicken legs were irradiated at 0, 3 and 5 kGy. The poultry underwent microbial analysis(mesophilic and Salmonella detection). For each treatment, the total microbial count decreased with increase of irradiation dose. The marinating treatment have a synergistic effect with irradiation treatment to reduce the total microbial count and controlling the proliferation during storage at 4°C. Irradiation of fresh chicken pieces with a dose of 3 kGy appears to be able to extend the microbial shelf-life by a factor of 2. When the chicken is marinating and irradiated at 3 kGy or when irradiated at 5 kGy without marinating, the microbial shelf-life is extended by a factor of 7 to 8. No Salmonella was found during all the experiment in the chicken in air and marinated. However, a presence of Salmonella was found in samples irradiated at 5 kGy under vacuum, in unirradiated samples and samples irradiated at 3kGy in air and under vacuum.     

Effects of gamma irradiation on the shoot length of Cicer seeds

The effects of radiation on the shoot and root lengths of germinated seedling of irradiated seeds of Cicer species, i.e. three kabuli types and four desi types of cultivated chickpea (Cicer arietinum Ladiz.) and 2 annual wild types (C. reticulatum Ladiz. and C. bijugum K.H. Rech.) were investigated. The seeds were irradiated with a ⁶⁰Co gamma source using 0, 200, 300 and 400 Gy doses at 1.66 kGy h⁻¹. At 200 Gy minor effects could be observed, but at 400 Gy an obvious depression of shoot length was observed. The kabuli types were more affected than the desi ones. The critical dose that prevented the shoot and root elongation varied among species and also ranged from genotypes to genotype within species.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on the microbiological quality and on the functional properties of proteins in dry red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Gamma-irradiation was found to affect the physicochemical properties of dry red kidney beans. The highest dose used (8 kGy) significantly (P0.05) modified the extent of deamidation, the number of sulfhydryl groups, as well as the solubility and the hydrophobicity of the protein. Deamidation, protein solubility and hydrophobicity all increased with the irradiation dose while the number of sulfhydryl groups was reduced by the treatment. Furthermore, irradiation also affected the outgrowth of natural filamentous fungi contaminants present on the dry beans. A dose of 1.5 kGy reduced the number of filamentous fungi by 2 log cycles immediately after treatment. However, the highest dose used (3 kGy) did not eliminate the filamentous fungi completely. Moreover, the filamentous fungi population was a lot less diversified on the irradiated samples. Species of Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. were more abundant on the unirradiated beans while the beans irradiated at 3 kGy contained were predominantly infected by species of Rhizopus sp. , Cladosporium sp. and Alternaria sp.     

Effects of (60)Co gamma radiation on thylakoid membrane functions in Anacystis nidulans

In photosynthetic organisms oxidative stress is known to result in photoinactivation of photosynthetic machinery. We investigated effects of ⁶⁰Co γ radiation, which generates oxidative stress, on thylakoid structure and function in cyanobacteria. Cells of unicellular, non-nitrogen fixing cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans (Synechococcus sp.) showed D₁₀ value of 257 Gy of ⁶⁰Co γ radiation. When measured immediately after exposure, cells irradiated with 1500 Gy (lethal dose) of ⁶⁰Co γ radiation did not show any differences in photosynthetic functions such as CO₂ fixation, O₂ evolution and partial reactions of photosynthetic electron transport in comparison to unirradiated cells. Incubation of irradiated cells for 24 h in light or dark resulted in decline in photosynthesis. The decline in photosynthesis was higher in the cells incubated in light as compared to the cells incubated in dark. Among the partial reactions of electron transport, only PSII activity declined drastically after incubation of irradiated samples. This was also supported by the analysis of membrane functions using thermoluminescence. Exposure of cyanobacteria to high doses of ⁶⁰Co γ radiation did not affect the thylakoid membrane ultrastructure immediately after exposure as shown by electron microscopy. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in irradiated cells was 20 times higher as compared to control. In irradiated cells de novo protein synthesis was reduced considerably immediately after irradiation. Treatment of cells with tetracycline also affected photosynthesis as in irradiated cells. The results showed that photoinhibition of photosynthetic apparatus after incubation of irradiated cells was probably augmented due to reduced protein synthesis. Active photosynthesis is known to require uninterrupted replenishment of some of the proteins involved in electron transport chain. The defective thylakoid membrane biogenesis may be leading to photosynthetic decline post-irradiation.     

The radiation resistance of thermoset plastics—VI. Unsaturated polyester plastics

Samples of two unsaturated polyester plastics, both with inorganic fillers, were irradiated under two very different conditions. One set of samples was irradiated with electrons, under exclusion of oxygen, using a high dose rate. The second set was irradiated with γ-rays, in air, using a very low dose rate of only 13.8 Gy/h. In the case of the short-term experiment the flexural strength, the impact strength and the deflection temperature passed through maxima as a function of dose. A significant deterioration of the strength did not occur up to a dose of 10 MGy. However, in contrast to this result, in the long-term experiment the strength was remarkably reduced at doses above 0.5 MGy. The electrical properties of four samples of different formulations were investigated. Irradiation with high dose rate had little influence on the electrical properties, but an abrupt drop of the surface resistance was found at 0.1 MGy in the long-term experiment. The tracking resistance showed a similar behaviour. Only the dielectric constants remained unchanged under all conditions of irradiation.     

Radiation damage to human erythrocytes. Relative contribution of hydroxyl and chloride radicals in N2O-saturated buffers

The erythrocyte suspensions in Na-phosphate buffered isotonic NaCl solution (PBS) or Na-phosphate isotonic buffer (PB) (hematocrit 1%) were irradiated with the dose of 400 Gy under N₂O. Erythrocytes were incubated in the medium in which the cells were irradiated or in fresh PBS. The level of damage to cells was estimated on the basis of the course of post-radiation hemolysis and hemoglobin (Hb) oxidation. The medium in which the cells were irradiated and incubated influenced the course of the post-radiation hemolysis and Hb oxidation as well as some other parameters. We discussed the contribution of hydroxyl and chloride radicals in the initiation of erythrocyte damage and oxygen modification of these processes.     

聚乙烯片晶辐照破坏机理的电子显微镜研究

用透射电子显微镜观察了高密度辐照聚乙烯的形态结构,并通过统计方法定量地分析了其结构与辐照剂量的关系。发现室温辐照聚乙烯的片晶形态不随辐照剂量而变化。若将室温辐照聚乙烯重新熔融,然后再于125℃下等温结晶4h后,其片晶厚度则随辐照剂量的增加而变薄,长周期亦随之变短。小角X射线散射的测试结果与上述结果符合得很好。室温辐照聚乙烯及其125℃重结晶试样的电子显微镜数据从又一直观角度验证了辐照聚乙烯“片晶内部破坏机理”的正确性。     

Effects of irradiation on epidermis ultrastructure of fresh day-lily flowers

Effects of gamma irradiation on epidermis ultrastructure of fresh day-lily (Hemerocallis fulva L.) flowers were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Damaged cells of petal epidermis were found in the day-lily flowers irradiated with 1.0 or more kGy. The cells damaged by irradiation broke and lost cytoplasm, and therefore, showed a serious shrinkage. The compartment of the cells disappeared in injury. With 1.0 or more kGy irradiation, the damaged cells were also observed on the epidermis of the sepal and receptacle cells. The injury was found in a small spot or area on the epidermis of the sepal as well as the petal. The injury spot of the sepal epidermis was shown to resemble ashes and no cell wall of the epidermis was found. On the other hand, the epidermis of the receptacle was torn away with 1.0 or more kGy irradiation. The damaged spots of the receptacle epidermis also appeared after irradiation. Irradiation was not recommended for treating the fresh day-lily flowers as vegetables since the dosage (2.0 or more kGy) needed for inhibiting the flower blooming as shown in our previous works, caused injury on the epidermis of the flowers.     

A study on feasibility of insect—control with γ-ray

Insect-control with Co-γ-ray is a method for conserving archives, books, cotton textiles, historical relics, wood structured houses and furniture, which are called irradiated objects later on. The temporary and residual effects of γ-ray on irradiated objects and the biological effects on insects are presented in this report.

Our study shows that there is no obvious harmful effect on irradiated objects when the ray is below 870 Gy, while there is obvious deterioration on the objects when the ray is above 870 Gy. On the other hand, the ray below 870 Gy is strong enough for the insects. In fact, at the dose of 43.5–130.5 Gy, the irradiated insects could be damaged on reproductive function, even sterilized, or killed.     

Application of thermoluminescence measurements to detect low dose gamma-irradiated table grapes

A major factor hampering the introduction of ionizing radiation as an alternative quarantine treatment to chemical fumigation for fruit and vegetables is the lack of reliable, simple and inexpensive post-treatment methods to confirm this low dose irradiation treatment. Considering this purpose, thermoluminescence (TL) measurements of the wind blown dust naturally adhered to the surface of table grapes, was surveyed. Two doses, 0.5 and 1.0 kGy, were studied, applied to the main Chilean table grape export varieties: Thompson Seedless and Flame Seedless.

TL measurements were carried out over 78 days for Thompson Seedless and 62 days for Flame Seedless varieties, both stored at 1 ± 1°C (usual handling of this fruit). TL response fading of dust samples stored at room temperature was also followed over 125 days. The TL response values obtained from the irradiated samples exceeded at least 3 times the highest ones obtained from the unirradiated counterparts. The treatment, even for the lower γ-radiation dose applied, could be properly detected well above the shipping and marketing time for this Chilean export fruit (2–8 weeks). This method also has the advantage of using relatively inexpensive equipment.     

Effects of gamma radiation on codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), eggs

The radiosensitivity of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), eggs in different stages of development was studied. Eggs ranging in age from 1–24 to 97–120 h were exposed, at 24 h intervals, to gamma radiation doses ranging from 10 to 350 Gy. The effects of gamma radiation on egg hatch, pupation and adult emergence was examined. Results showed that the radiosensitivity of codling moth eggs decreased with increasing age. Egg hatch in 1–24 h old eggs was significantly affected at 20 Gy dose and at 60 Gy dose, egg hatch decreased to about 1%. At the age of 25–48 h, however, egg hatch at 60 Gy dose was about 10%, and egg sensitivity to gamma irradiation decreased significantly in the 49–72 h age group; 60 Gy dose had no significant effect on egg hatch. Eggs irradiated few hours before hatch (at the blackhead stage), were the most resistant ones; 100 Gy had no significant effect on egg hatch and at 350 Gy dose over 56% of the eggs hatched. When adult emergence was used as a criterion for measuring effectiveness, however, the effect of gamma radiation was very sever. A dose of 60 Gy completely prevented adult emergence and at 100 Gy dose all resulted larvae died before pupation.     

Changes in the vascular tissue of fresh Hass avocados treated with cobalt 60

This research was based on fresh avocado fruit treated with gamma rays at quarantine doses and stored at room temperature. The effects of irradiation were analyzed and measured by three different types of studies: histological, biochemical and physiological. Histological studies were focused on the effect of Cobalt 60 gamma rays in the mesocarp of avocado irradiated at three different doses; 150, 250, and 350 Gy. Damage was observed principally in the parenchyma tissue where the cell membrane was plazmolized and a red color was observed due to the development of phenol compounds. Another important effect was an increase in the size of xylem and phloem cells in the vascular tissue even at the minimum dose of 150 Gy. The biochemical and the physiological studies were done on avocado fruit irradiated at 100 and 150 Gy. An increase in L-phenilalanine ammonialyase activity was observed and therefore, an increase in the concentration of phenol compounds. These changes were not perceived by panelists in a sensorial test. Irradiated fruits were accepted by panelists as well as control fruit as regards parameters of taste, internal color and external color. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using irradiation to disinfest avocado fruit using a minimum dose of 100 Gy.     

Electron beam irradiation induces abnormal development and the stabilization of p53 protein of American serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess)

The American serpentine leafminer fly, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), is one of the most destructive polyphagous pests worldwide. In this study, we determined electron beam doses for inhibition of normal development of the leaf miner and investigated the effect of electron beam irradiation on DNA damage and p53 stability. Eggs (0-24 h old), larvae (2nd instar), puparia (0-24 h old after pupariation) and adults (24 h after emergence) were irradiated with increasing doses of electron beam irradiation (six levels between 30 and 200 Gy). At 150 Gy, the number of adults that developed from irradiated eggs, larvae and puparia was lower than in the untreated control. Fecundity and egg hatchability decreased depending on the doses applied. Reciprocal crosses between irradiated and unirradiated flies demonstrated that males were more radiotolerant than females. Adult longevity was not affected in all stages. The levels of DNA damage in L. trifolii adults were evaluated using the alkaline comet assay. Our results indicate that electron beam irradiation increased levels of DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, low doses of electron beam irradiation led to the rapid appearance of p53 protein within 6 h; however, it decreased after exposure to high doses (150 Gy and 200 Gy). These results suggest that electron beam irradiation induced not only abnormal development and reproduction but also p53 stability caused by DNA damage in L. trifolii. We conclude that a minimum dose of 150 Gy should be sufficient for female sterilization of L. trifolii.     

Determination of the metal balance shift induced in small fresh water fish by X-ray irradiation using PIXE analysis

The balance of essential elements in organisms can be changed by environmental stresses. A small fresh water fish, the medaka, was irradiated with X-rays (total dose: 17 Gy, which is not a lethal dose for this fish). Essential elements in the liver, gall bladder, kidney, spleen, heart and brain of the fish were measured by the particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method and compared with those of a control fish. Various changes in the elemental balance shift were observed. The PIXE method can analyze many elements in a small sample simultaneously, and so the changes in elemental content induced by irradiation were readily determined.     

Detection of irradiation treatment of foods using DNA ‘comet assay’

Microgel electrophoresis of single cells (DNA comet assay) has been investigated to detect irradiation treatment of some food samples. These samples of fresh and frozen rainbow trout, red lentil, gram and sliced almonds were irradiated to 1 or 2 kGy using 10 MeV electron beam from a linear accelerator. Rainbow trout samples yielded good results with samples irradiated to 1 or 2 kGy showing fragmentation of DNA and, therefore, longer comets with no intact cells. Unirradiated samples showed shorter comets with a significant number of intact cells. For rainbow trout stored in a freezer for 11 days the irradiated samples can still be discerned by electrophoresis from unirradiated samples, however, the unirradiated trouts also showed some longer comets besides some intact cells. Radiation treatment of red lentils can also be detected by this method, i.e. no intact cells in 1 or 2 kGy irradiated samples and shorter comets and some intact cells in unirradiated samples. However, the results for gram and sliced almond samples were not satisfactory since some intact DNA cells were observed in irradiated samples as well. Probably, incomplete lysis has led to these deviating results.     

Effect of dose rate on inactivation of microorganisms in spices by electron-beams and gamma-rays irradiation

Total aerobic bacteria in spices used in this study were determined to be 1 × 10⁶ to 6 × 10⁷ per gram. A study on the inactivation of microorganisms in spices showed that doses of 6–9kGy of EB (electron-beams) or γ-irradiation were required to reduce the total aerobic bacteria in many However, a little increase of resistance was observed on the inactivation of total aerobic bacteria in many spices in case of EB irradiation. These difference of radiation sensitivities between EB and γ-rays was explained by dose rate effect on oxidation damage to microorganisms from the results of radiation sensitivities of Bacillus pumilus and B. megaterium spores at dry conditions. On the other hand, these high dose rate of EB irradiation suppressed the increase of peroxide values in spices at high dose irradiation up to 80 kGy. However, components of essential oils in spices were not changed even irradiated up to 50 kGy with EB and γ-rays.     

Effect of gamma-ray irradiation on the mechanical strength of polystyrene-ferrocene composite

Thin films of polystyrene-ferrocene (PS---Fe) composite were irradiated with various doses of gamma irradiation ranging from 4·1 to 25·3 Mrad. The Vickers hardness number (H_v) was calculated for pure and irradiated specimens. It was used to analyse mechanical strength at a saturation load of 100 g. The mechanical strength was found to increase with irradiation dose up to 12 Mrad. Brittleness of the composite PS-Fe was found to occur at a higher dose of 25 Mrad as compared to 15 Mrad for polystyrene. Further, fracture toughness, brittleness index and yield strength were calculated for various irradiated specimens consequent to crack propagation in the specimens.     

Food irradiation in Hungary: commercial processing and development work

The result of an experiment with irradiated frozen poultry meat is presented. The purpose of the experiment was to prove the benefit of irradiation treatment for elimination of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. We found that an average dose of 4.5 kGy kills the bacteria in the meat. Agroster was involved in an EU project on the identification of irradiation treatment of spices and data from this project are presented. Commercial irradiation of spices has been used for more than 15 years in Hungary, proving the benefit of this technology     

The use of ESR spectroscopy for the investigation of dosimetric properties of egg shells

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the dosimetric properties of chicken egg shells. The ESR spectra of the irradiated egg shell were found to have an asymmetric absorption characterized by a major resonance at g=2.0019 and a minor resonance at g_||=1.9980. The study was carried out on g=2.0019 signal because of the accuracy of measurements and the possibility of using it as ESR dosimeter. The activation energy (E), frequency factor (k₀) and mean-life (τ) were calculated to be 1.50±0.10 eV, 2×10¹³ s⁻¹ and (4.4±0.4)×10⁴ year respectively. Dose–response was investigated between dose ranges of 1 Gy and 10 kGy for ⁶⁰Co γ-rays. Dose–response was found to be appropriate for dosimetry in the range 3 Gy to 10 kGy. The lower limit of observable doses for egg shell sample was about 3 Gy. The other ESR dosimetric parameters of egg shell samples, fading characteristic, light effect, dose-rate dependence and energy dependence, have also been studied in detail. Apart from its non-tissue equivalence, egg shell has very good dosimetric properties with insignificant fading, light independence, linearity in dose–response (3 Gy–10 kGy), dose-rate independence and independence from energy above 500 keV. It suggests that egg shell may be used as a retrospective γ radiation dosimetry after nuclear accidents or other short accidental radiation events.     

Phytosanitary irradiation for export of fresh produce: commercial adoption in Hawaii and current issues

Hawaii is a pioneer in the use of phytosanitary irradiation. Irradiation is an approved treatment to control quarantine insect pests in 17 fruits and 7 vegetables for export from Hawaii to the US mainland. The commercial X-ray irradiation facility, Hawaii Pride LLC, has been shipping tropical fruits and vegetables to the US mainland using irradiation since 2000. Hawaiian purple sweet potato is the highest volume product with annual exports of more than 12 million lbs (5,500 tonnes). The advent of generic radiation treatments for tephritid fruit flies (150 Gy) and other insects (400 Gy) has accelerated commodity export approvals and facilitated adoption by foreign trading partners. Current impediments to wider adoption include the labeling requirement, the 1 kGy limit for fresh horticultural products, and non-acceptance of phytosanitary irradiation in Japan and the European Union. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has restricted the use of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for irradiated fresh fruits exported to the US due to possible increased radio-tolerance in the target insects. Data are presented for response of melon fly in papaya to several types of MAP with radiation treatment at 45–65 Gy. Low oxygen atmospheres can increase insect radio-tolerance, but the effect is dependent on oxygen concentration and radiation dose.