EPR detection of foods preserved with ionizing radiation

The applicability of the epr technique for the detection of dried vegetables, mushrooms, some spices, flavour additives and some condiments preserved with ionizing radiation is discussed. The epr signals recorded after exposure to gamma rays and to beams of 10 MeV electrons from linac are stable, intense and specific enough as compared with those observed with nonirradiated samples and could be used for the detection of irradiation. However, stability of radiation induced epr signals produced in these foods depends on storage condition.

No differences in shapes (spectral parameters) and intensities of the epr spectra recorded with samples exposed to the same doses of gamma rays (⁶⁰Co) and 10 MeV electrons were observed     

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.     

Suitability of the thermoluminescence method for detection of irradiated foods

Irradiated foods can be detected by thermoluminescence (TL) of contaminating minerals. Altogether about 300 lots of herbs, spices, berries, mushrooms and seafood were studied by the TL method. Irradiated herbs and spices were easily differentiated from unirradiated ones two years after irradiation of a 10 kGy dose. The mineral composition of seafood was variable; and while calcite was suitable for the TL analysis, aragonite and smectite gave unreliable results. Control analyses during two years confirmed the reliability of TL method.     

Polymerization of calcium caseinates solutions induced by gamma irradiation

Solutions of calcium caseinate (5%) combined with propylene glycol (PG) or triethylene glycol(TEG) (0, 2.5% and 5%) and used for the development of edible films and coatings, were irradiated at doses between 0 to 128 kGy. Solutions were chromatographed through toyopearl HW 55F resin to observe the effect of irradiation on cross-link reactions. In unirradiated calcium caseinate solutions, two peaks could be observed (fractions 30 and 37) while samples irradiated at 64 kGy and 128 kGy showed one shifted peak at fraction 32 and 29 respectively. No effect of the plasticizers was observed. According to proteins standards of knowed molecular weights, the molecular weight of calcium caseinate increased approximately 10 times when irradiated at 128 kGy and 5 times when irradiated at 64 kGy. The physico-chemical properties of bio-films prepared with the irradiated solutions, demonstrated that tensile strength at break increased with increase of irradiation dose. A maximum dose was obtained at 16 kGy.     

Crosslinking of recycled polyethylene by gamma and electron beam irradiation

Recycling of polymeric materials is usually accompanied by degradation and deleterious properties. Irradiation crosslinking of recycling low density polyethylene by electron beam and gamma rays could be the solution to improve their properties. This paper presents a comparison on the effects of gamma and electron irradiation on virgin and recycled polyethylene. Their mechanical, thermal and chemical properties were analyzed. VPE samples shown higher crosslinking percentages than RPE samples in all range of doses studied, unirradiated RPE samples had higher values on their tensile properties than VPE. Percentage crystallinity was similar in all range of doses studied.     

Improvement of plant parameters of the ROBO gamma irradiation facility due to design modification

Two industrial scale, “ROBO” type ⁶⁰Co gamma irradiation facilities have recently been put into operation in Syria and Peru, and the dosimetry commissioning of both plants have been carried out to determine dose distribution within products and to calculate plant parameters such as efficiency, dose uniformity ratio and throughput. There are some design modifications between the two plants in connection with the location of the carriers with respect to the source plaque and also to each other. The effect of these construction modifications on the plant parameters is discussed in the analysis of the dose distribution data measured in the carriers with depth and height among the four irradiation rows on both sides of the source plaque. The plant parameters were also calculated for different product densities using the technical data of the facilities, and the calculated and measured results were compared to each other.     

Cobalt 60 gamma irradiation current status, trends and insights

This paper discusses the current status, trends and insights into the continued, safe use of cobalt 60 gamma irradiation. Also presented are some of the many initiatives undertaken at MDS Nordion. Topics covered include our investment for the future supply of raw materials and the latest news from source production. Briefly presented are the tasks associated with the safe transport of cobalt 60 around the world. Discussed is cobalt 60 usage at the customer site; more specifically maintaining source integrity, source utilization and irradiator design trends. Highlighted are industry trends for North America, Europe and the rest of the world. Finally presented are the challenges and opportunities for the industry. Stressed in the paper is the need to work together.     

Identification of irradiated pulses by thermoluminescence of the contaminating minerals

Thermoluminescence (TL) response of contaminating minerals from six samples of pulses commonly consumed in Pakistan has been studied for identification of irradiation treatment. The samples were irradiated by Co-60 gamma rays at 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 kGy, or by 10 MeV electrons using an accelerator at 0.75 and 2.2. kGy. Generally, the TL intensity for minerals separated from irradiated samples was higher than for unirradiated samples. To normalize the results, separated minerals deposited on stainless steel discs were re-irradiated by a normalizing dose and TL response was redetermined. The ratio of the area of the first glow curve to the second glow curve was more than 0.8 for all irradiated samples and less than 0.33 for most of the unirradiated samples. For those unirradiated samples where the ratio of the glow curves was more then 0.03, the shapes of the glow curves were compared. Taking this criterion into consideration, all 21 unirradiated and irradiated samples of pulses were identified correctly. Therefore, a normalization procedure by re-irradiation of minerals and analysis of TL glow curve shapes lead to unequivocal identification of radiation treatment of pulses.     

Feasibility of sterilizing traditional Chinese medicines by gamma-irradiation

The feasibility of sterilizing traditional Chinese medicine (TCMs) by γ-irradiation has been systematically evaluated by the biological, toxicological and physicochemical tests on irradiated hundreds of TCMs. Those TCMs investigated in general show no significant biological or toxicological changes after irradiation, yet physicochemical changes are detectable in some irradiated TCMs, and water in TCMs enhances the effects. Those results obtained from radiolysis of some major effective components of TCMs in aqueous or ethanolic solutions reveal that the site selection of radiolytically generated radicals follows the example of simple compounds with same function groups. Wholesomeness and chemical clearance present a bright future to sterilizing TCMs by γ irradiation, however, some important measures and steps should be adopted: (1) The producers must strictly execute manufacturing procedure to reduce microbiological contamination thus lower the applied dose for sterilization which is recommended to be controlled under 5, 7 or 10 kGy, 10 kGy for dry herb, 7 kGy for herbal medicine and 5 kGy for some special herbal medicine; (2) Herb to be sterilized by γ-irradiation should exist in possible dry state; (3) Powder TCMs is recommended to mix with honey forming bolus, which can minimize the decomposition of herb.     

Radiosterilization of sulfonamides: I: determination of the effects of gamma irradiation on solid sulfonamides

Three antibiotics sulfafurazole (SFZ), sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) and sulfacetamide sodium (SSA-Na) belonging to sulfonamides were irradiated and changes in physico-chemical properties, pH, melting points, UV, IR, NMR, TLC, GC-MS, ESR characteristics, antimicrobial activities of active components were studied at normal and accelerated stability test conditions. Two radiolytic intermediates for both SFZ and SMZ and four radiolytic intermediates for SSA-Na were found in the irradiated solid samples after the GC-MS analysis. The results obtained under normal and accelerated stability test conditions were observed to be consistent with the unirradiated values.     

Sub-millimolar determination of formalin by pulsed amperometric detection

Formalin, formaldehyde in the presence of methanol, was determined by pulsed amperometric detection (PAD). A triple waveform using E_det=−0.3 V (t_det=30 ms), E_oxd=+0.8 V (t_oxd=200 ms), and E_red=−0.8 V (t_red=350 ms) versus Ag/AgCl was applied at a Au electrode for detection in a flow injection (FI) system. The approach was rapid and yielded a sub-millimolar detection limit (0.0129 mM) with a dynamic range up to 100 mM. A precision of 8.8% R.S.D. at 1.0 mM for two hundred repetitive injections by the FI-PAD was obtained, whereas holding at a constant potential (−0.3 V versus Ag/AgCl) for anodic oxidation of formaldehyde caused the response to decrease dramatically after a few measurements. The method developed was used to analyze the formalin contents of water from rinsed samples of vegetables and fruit and ice-melt from seafood, and the method showed good agreement with the liquid chromatography (LC) method.     

The influence of gamma irradiation on flavonoïds content during storage of irradiated clementina

The influence of Gamma irradiation on content of some important flavonoïds (flavonones glycosides and polymethoxylated flavones) was evaluated during storage of Moroccan clementina treated at a mean dose of 0.3 kGy and stored three months at 3′C. Results shows that at day one, gamma irradiation induced degradation of small quantities of these flavonoïds, however after 14 days of storage, the content of these compounds was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in irradiated samples. Irradiation stimulated biosynthesis of flavonoïds after 14 days of storage. Hesperidin was the major flavanones compounds in clementines. Nobiletin and Heptamethoxyflavone were the major polymethoxylated flavones in clementines. Our study demonstrated that the content of these compounds was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in irradiated samples.     

The operational benefits of integrated PC control of gamma irradiation plants

Compared with the traditional PLC control systems used on many gamma irradiation plants, the semi-intelligent decision making capabilities of a fully integrated PC control system can bring many benefits to the plant operator.

The authors will describe how plant operation is fully automatic with the PC control providing all the input-output data required to run the plant efficiently and safely. Detailed product tracking, with live on-screen data, can be incorporated to give both plant operator and product manufacturer complete confidence in the irradiation process. Advanced features such as on-line diagnostics and mechanical part failure prediction are also described.

Also available is automated dosimetry, reducing the opportunity for human error, whilst at the same time saving on staff costs and providing highly professional dose validation reports and comprehensive routine dosimetry documentation.

The benefits of PURIDEC's PC control system are not only available with its new plants. The system can be supplied as an upgrade to plants of all ages and design giving the current operator all the benefits described in the paper.     

Effect of gamma radiation on microbial population of natural casings

The high microbial load of fresh and dry natural casings increases the risk of meat product contamination with pathogenic microorganisms, agents of foodborn diseases.

The aim of this work is to evaluate the killing effect of gamma radiation of the resident microbial population of pork and beef casings, to improve their hygiene and safety.

Portions of fresh pork (small intestines and colon) and dry beef casings were irradiated in a Cobalt 60 source with with absorbed doses of 1,2,5 and 10 kGy.

The D₁₀ values of total aerobic microorganisms in the pork casings were 1.65 kGy for colon and 1.54 kGy for small intestine. The D₁₀ value found in beef dry casings (small intestine) was 10.17 kGy. Radurization with 5 kGy was able to reduce, at least, 6 logs the coliform bacteria in pork casings. The killing effect over faecal Streptococci was 4 logs for pork fresh casings and 2 logs for beef dry casings. Gamma radiation with 5 kGy proved to be a convenient method to reduce substantially the microbial population of pork fresh casings. Otherwise, the microbial population of beef dry casings still resisted to 10 kGy.     

Determination of acrylamide in Chinese traditional carbohydrate-rich foods using gas chromatography with micro-electron capture detector and isotope dilution liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

The present study developed two analytical methods for quantification of acrylamide in complex food matrixes, such as Chinese traditional carbohydrate-rich foods. One is based on derivatization with potassium bromate and potassium bromide without clean-up prior to gas chromatography with micro-electron capture detector (GC-MECD). Alternatively, the underivatized acrylamide was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) in the positive electrospray ionization mode. For both methods, the Chinese carbohydrate-rich samples were homogenized, defatted with petroleum ether and extracted with aqueous solution of sodium chloride. Recovery rates for acrylamide from spiked Chinese style foods with the spiking level of 50, 500 and 1000 μg kg⁻¹ were in the range of 79-93% for the GC-MECD including derivatization and 84-97% for the HPLC-MS/MS method. Typical quantification limits of the HPLC-MSMS method were 4 μg kg⁻¹ for acrylamide. The GC-MECD method achieved quantification limits of 10 μg kg⁻¹ in Chinese style foods. Thirty-eight Chinese traditional foods purchased from different manufacturers were analyzed and compared with four Western style foods. Acrylamide contaminant was found in all of samples at the concentration up to 771.1 and 734.5 μg kg⁻¹ detected by the GC and HPLC method, respectively. The concentrations determined with the two different quantitative methods corresponded well with each other. A convenient and fast pretreatment procedure will be optimized in order to satisfy further investigation of hundreds of samples.     

Development of an analytical method for monitoring worker populations exposed to platinum-group elements

The increasing industrial use of platinum-group elements (PGEs), namely Ir, Pd, Pt and Rh, and related allergies such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, urticaria and contact dermatitis, have led to a growing need to monitor selected populations of exposed workers. In this study, the levels of PGEs were measured in indoor airborne particulate matter and in biological samples taken from employees of a plant where car catalytic converters are produced and precious metals are recovered from spent carbon catalysts. The development of an analytical procedure based on quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS) for the analysis of PGEs in airborne particulate matter and on sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS) for the analysis of PGEs in blood, serum, urine and hair is described. For airborne particulate matter deposited on filters, the limits of detection (LoDs) were found to be 0.006 ng m⁻³, 0.020 ng m⁻³, 0.018 ng m⁻³ and 0.006 ng m⁻³ for Ir, Pd, Pt and Rh, respectively. Repeatability of measurements ranged from 1.8 to 8.5%, while recovery was in the range from 92 to 102%. For biological samples LoDs in blood, serum, urine and hair ranged from (in ng l⁻¹) 0.2–0.6 for Ir, 5–10 for Pd, 1–3 for Pt and 2–3 for Rh. For all biological materials, the repeatability varied from 1.1 to 12% for the four elements. Recovery data for the determination of PGEs in biological matrices were found to range from 84.0 to 107.8%. The method was applied to the determination of either total or respirable airborne PGEs collected from five different work areas in the plant. The difference between areas with high and low exposure correlates closely with metal levels in hair, blood and urine. The correlation coefficients between Pt in airborne particulate matter and Pt in biological materials was 0.994, 0.991 and 0.970 for blood, hair and urine, respectively.     

The automatic interlocking system of electron absorbed dose monitoring and irradiation process control

The paper describes the real time computer control system used for monitoring and control parameters of the electron irradiation facility. The process control is achieved through the control system made up of a personal computer, three I/O boards and an ISA interface board. The improved bipartition transport theory has been applied to calculate the absorbed dose of low energy electron. The experimental results proved that the dose control precision of the system has been greatly raised, and the other performance indexes have been obviously improved. This interlocking system may be used for dose monitoring and process control in BB radiation processing.     

Genotoxic properties of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone, a compound formed on irradiation of food containing fat

When food containing fat is treated by ionizing radiation, a group of 2-alkylcyclobutanones is formed. These components contain the same number of carbon atoms as their precursor fatty acids and the alkyl group is located in ring position 2. Thus, from palmitic acid 2-dodecylcyclobutanone is derived. To date, there is no evidence that the cyclobutanones occur in unirradiated food. Therefore, these components cannot be considered inherent to food, and for questions pertaining to risk assessment of irradiated food it would be advisable to determine the genotoxic and toxic potentials of cyclobutanones. Measurements of DNA damage in cells exposed to 2-dodecylcyclobutanone, employing the single cell microgel electrophoresis technique, have been carried out. In vitro experiments using rat and human colon cells indicate that 2-docylcyclobutanone in the concentration range of about 0.30 – 1.25 mg/ml induces DNA strand breaks in the cells. Simultaneously, a concentration related cytotoxic effect is observed as was determined by trypan blue exclusion. To which extent these in vitro findings are of relevancy for the in vivo human exposure situation needs to be investigated in further studies. In vivo tests in rats are in progress.     

Determination of benzhexol hydrochloride by capillary zone electrophoresis with an end-column electrochemiluminescence detection

A capillary zone electrophoresis with end-column electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detector was described for the determination of benzhexol hydrochloride. The detection was based on the tris(2,2′-bypyridine)ruthenium(II) [Ru(bpy)₃²⁺] ECL reaction with the analyte. Electrophoresis was performed using a 25 μm i.d. uncoated capillary. 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH=8.0) was used as the running buffer. The solution in the detection cell was 80 mM sodium phosphate (pH=8.0) and 5 mM Ru(bpy)₃²⁺. A linear calibration curve of three-orders of magnitude was obtained (with a correlation coefficient of >0.999) from 1.0×10⁻⁸ to 1.0×10⁻⁵ M and the limit of detection was 6.7×10⁻⁹ M (S/N=3). This just provides an easy and sensitive method to determine the active ingredient in pharmaceutical formulations.     

Preservation of fresh noodles by irradiation

At the present paper, it is studied to preserve fresh noodles by irradiation. The noodles which were irradiated by 10 kGy of ⁶⁰Co-γ rays and stored at room temperature (18–24°C). The appearance of the noodles was observed, the bacteria in the noodles were examines, and the acidity of the noodles was measured during 10 days after irradiation. The results showed that the number of bacteria and the extent of acidification of the noodles were in inverse proportion to radiation dose. When the absorbed dose was less than 8 kGy, the residual bacteria in the noodles could proliferate massively in several days and acidified the noodles. The pH of these noodles decreased from 6.2 to 5.0 or less and the noodles turned into sticky during storage. When the absorbed dose reached 8–10 kGy, most of bacteria were killed and the acidity of the noodles kept about pH 6.0. The appearance of the noodles looks fresh within 10 days after irradiation. They smelled as good as fresh ones.