Irradiation D-values for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella sp. on inoculated broccoli seeds and effects of irradiation on broccoli sprout keeping quality and seed viability

Like alfalfa sprouts, broccoli sprouts can be a vehicle for bacterial pathogens, which can cause illness when they are consumed. The gamma irradiation process was used to reduce numbers of bacterial pathogens on broccoli sprouts and seeds, and the effect of this process on the seeds was studied. The irradiation destruct values for Salmonella sp. and for strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated on broccoli seeds were determined. Results obtained in this study indicate that a dose of 2 kGy reduced total background counts for broccoli sprouts from 10(6) to 10(7) CFU/g to 10(4) to 10(5) CFU/g and increased the shelf life of the sprouts by 10 days. Yield ratio (wt/wt), germination percentage, sprout length, and thickness were measured to determine the effects of various irradiation doses on the broccoli seeds. Results show a decreased germination percentage at a dose level of 4 kGy, whereas the yield ratio (wt/wt), sprout length, and thickness decreased at the 2-kGy dose level. The radiation doses required to inactivate Salmonella sp. and strains of E. coli O157:H7 were higher than previously reported values. D-values, dose required for a 1-log reduction, for the nonvegetable and vegetable Salmonella sp. isolates were 0.74 and 1.10 kGy, respectively. The values for the nonvegetable and vegetable isolated strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 were 1.43 and 1.11 kGy, respectively. With the irradiation process, a dose of up to 2 kGy can extend the shelf life of broccoli sprouts. A dose of > 2 kGy would have an adverse effect on the broccoli seed and decrease the yield of broccoli sprouts.     

QUALITY OF ALFALFA SPROUTS GROWN FROM IRRADIATED SEEDS1

Abstract Sprouts grown from nonirradiated alfalfa seeds and those irradiated at 1, 2, and 3 kGy were stored at 7C for 21 days. Sprout quality was measured initially and after 21 days storage. Compared with nonirradiated controls, sprouts grown from irradiated seeds had an increased vitamin C content and antioxidant activity measured by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay both initially and after 21 days. The vitamin C, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents as well as antioxidant activity all decreased during storage. Levels of chlorophyll and carotenoid were similar in sprouts grown from irradiated and nonirradiated seeds both initially and after storage. Sprouts from irradiated seeds also had short roots compared with those from nonirradiated seeds.     

Changes in growth and antioxidant status of alfalfa sprouts during sprouting as affected by gamma irradiation of seeds

Viking 3000 alfalfa seeds irradiated with gamma rays to doses of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 kGy were sprouted and allowed to grow for up to 8 days at 23 degrees C. Germination, growth (yield and length), antioxidant capacity, and ascorbic acid (AA) were measured during sprouting. Results showed percent germination of the seeds and the rates of growth of the sprouts were inversely related to the radiation dose absorbed by the seeds. Both antioxidant capacity and AA content expressed on a fresh weight basis decreased during growth of the sprouts. Sprouts grown from irradiated seeds had greater antioxidant capacity and AA content on a fresh weight basis than those grown from nonirradiated seeds. However, when the nutritive values were expressed on a per gram of seed basis, irradiation had no effect on the nutritive values of sprouts.     

Quality of irradiated alfalfa sproutst

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) sprouts were irradiated with gamma rays at doses of 0, 0.85, 1.71, and 2.57 kGy at 5 degrees C. then stored at 6 degrees C for 14 days. Antioxidant power, total ascorbic acid (TAA) (ascorbic acid plus dehydroascorbic acid), carotenoid, chlorophyll, and color were measured at 1, 7, and 14 days of storage. Antioxidant power increased linearly with radiation dose at both 1 and 7 days of storage. Irradiation had minimal effect on TAA content when compared with the decrease in TAA content during storage. Carotenoid content of sprouts irradiated at 1.71 and 2.57 kGy was higher than that of control at 7 days of storage. Irradiation did not have a consistent effect on chlorophyll content or color.     

Survival of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Salmonella typhimurium after electron beam and gamma irradiation of refrigerated beef

The radurization effects of gamma ray and electron beam irradiation at 1.5 and 3.0 kGy on beef steaks inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium and Pseudomonas fluorescens were investigated during 8 days of storage at 5 degrees C. Total bacterial counts and numbers of Salmonella Typhimurium and P. fluorescens were analyzed at 2-day intervals. Total bacterial counts of samples irradiated by both gamma rays and electron beam were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by 3.8 to 5.3 log CFU/g. Salmonella Typhimurium was not detectable during the experimental period. P. fluorescens counts of beef samples irradiated by gamma rays at both 1.5 and 3.0 kGy were not detected; however, P. fluorescens in samples irradiated by electron beam at 1.5 and 3.0 kGy was recovered after 2 days, and bacterial counts reached 7.8 and 6.9 log CFU/g, respectively. Both gamma ray and electron beam irradiation reduced total bacterial counts initially, possibly extending shelf life. Irradiation was very effective in destroying Salmonella Typhimurium; however, P. fluorescens was not completely eliminated by electron beam irradiation. Consequently, gamma ray irradiation was more effective than electron beam irradiation in the destruction of P. fluorescens.     

Alfalfa seed germination and yield ratio and alfalfa sprout microbial keeping quality following irradiation of seeds and sprouts.

Foods can be treated with gamma radiation, a nonthermal food process, to inactivate foodborne pathogens and fungi, to kill insects on or in fruits and vegetables, and to increase shelf life. Gamma irradiation is especially well suited for these treatments because of its ability to penetrate commercial pallets of foods. Irradiated fruits, vegetables, poultry, and hamburger have been received favorably by the public and are now available in supermarkets. The use of irradiation on fresh alfalfa sprouts was studied to determine its effect on keeping quality as related to aerobic microbial load. After an irradiation dose of 2 kGy, the total aerobic count decreased from 10(5-8) to 10(3-5) CFU/g, and the total coliform counts decreased from 10(5-8) to 10(3-0) CFU/g. The results showed that the sprouts maintained their structure after irradiation, and the keeping quality was extended to 21 days, which is an increase of 10 days from the usual shelf life. The effect of various doses of irradiation on alfalfa seeds as measured by percent germination and yield ratio (wt/wt) of sprouts was determined. There was little effect on the percent germination, but as the dose increased, the yield ratio of alfalfa sprouts decreased. As the length of growing time increased, so did the yield ratio of the lower dose irradiated seeds (1 to 2 kGy). The irradiation process can be used to increase the shelf life of alfalfa sprouts, and irradiating alfalfa seeds at doses up to 2 kGy does not unacceptably decrease the yield ratio for production of alfalfa sprouts.     

SENSORY QUALITY AND NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF THREE HAWAIIAN FRUITS TREATED BY X-IRRADIATION

Papayas, rambutans, and Kau oranges were irradiated at 0 (control) and 0.75 (irradiated) kGy and stored for 2 and 9 days to determine the effect of X‐irradiation on objective and sensory quality attributes. Irradiation at 0.25 kGy, as a minimum dose, has been approved as a quarantine treatment for the export of tropical fruits grown in Hawaii. The effects of irradiation and storage on specific sensory attributes were dependent on the specific fruit. Aroma and flavor tended to be more intense in the irradiated fruit. Firmness decreased as a result of irradiation and storage, though significant only in rambutans. The color of the rambutans and oranges were significantly affected by irradiation. Irradiation did not contribute to significant changes in the ascorbic acid and carotenoid contents, pH, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids. Adaptation of X‐ray irradiation as a quarantine treatment should enhance the marketability of tropical fruits.     

电子束辐照对干枸杞生虫及品质的影响

利用电子束辐照,研究辐照对干枸杞品质的影响,确定干枸杞辐照杀虫工艺剂量。采用电子辐照加速器对干枸杞进行辐照处理,研究不同剂量辐照对干枸杞复水比、生虫率、颜色以及还原糖、类胡萝卜素等理化指标含量的影响。结果表明：辐照处理后干枸杞复水比显著低于未经辐照的干枸杞。电子束辐照处理可显著抑制干枸杞的生虫率,且辐照剂量越高对生虫率的抑制效果越显著;辐照剂量为4~8 kGy时,直至试验结束未曾出现生虫枸杞,辐照剂量为2 kGy试验结束时生虫率为0.57%,皆显著低于未经辐照干枸杞的0.97%。剂量≥8 kGy时,干枸杞L*、a*、b*均显著低于未经辐照的干枸杞。辐照对干枸杞还原糖、枸杞多糖含量显著上升,对可溶性糖、游离氨基酸无明显影响,当辐照剂量≥8 kGy时干枸杞类胡萝卜素、黄酮含量明显下降。综上所述,干枸杞的电子束辐照剂量应在4~8 kGy范围内。该剂量范围内能有效抑制干枸杞生虫,且最大程度保持干枸杞原有的食用品质。     

电子束辐照对芒果品质的影响

为研究电子束辐照处理对芒果品质的影响,筛选适用于芒果辐照保鲜的最佳剂量,分别采用0.5、1.0、1.5和2.0 kGy剂量电子束辐照芒果,测定室温贮存条件下辐照处理后芒果发病率、失重率以及营养指标的变化情况。结果表明:不同剂量的电子束辐照处理对芒果的硬度、可溶性固形物、抗坏血酸、总酸和还原糖等营养成分含量没有显著性影响;但0.5和1.0 kGy辐照处理能使芒果保持良好的外观品质,延缓其褐变速度,降低其腐烂率和失重率,抑制果实后熟转黄,保持水果的色泽;而1.5和2.0 kGy剂量辐照处理一定程度上加速了芒果的褐变和腐烂,降低其外观品质和色泽,尤其是2.0 kGy辐照处理组,其腐烂变质速度最快。对芒果来说,其电子束辐照保鲜处理的最佳辐照剂量为0.5~1.0 kGy。     

Effect of gamma irradiation on physicochemical properties,proximate composition,vitamins and antinutritional factors of the tribal pulse Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata

Effect of gamma irradiation on Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata seeds (maroon‐coloured seed coat) at various doses (2, 5, 10, 15 and 25 kGy) on the physicochemical properties, proximate composition, vitamins (niacin and ascorbic acid) and antinutritional factors were analysed. No significant changes were recorded in the physicochemical properties of irradiated seeds. Gamma irradiation resulted in a significant increase in crude protein, while the crude lipid, crude fibre and ash contents resulted in a dose‐dependent decrease. Gamma‐irradiated seeds presented a significant decrease in the ascorbic acid and niacin content. Irradiation processing significantly reduced the level of L‐DOPA, phytic acid, hydrogen cyanide, trypsin inhibitor activity, oligosaccharides and lectins. The total free phenolics, tannins and in vitro protein digestibility on irradiation showed a significant dose‐dependent increase. Gamma irradiation seems to be a good procedure to improve the quality of legume seeds from the nutritional point of view.     

Improved Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy with Different Sample Treatments to Identify Irradiated Sprout Seeds

Irradiation helps to reduce microbial load in sprout seeds and prevents the outbreak of sprout-related foodborne illness. In food materials of plant origins, irradiation produces free radicals in cellulose and crystalline sugars which could serve as irradiation detection markers in electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis. In the present research, radiation-induced free radicals were studied in the seeds of alfalfa and broccoli irradiated at 0, 2, 4, and 6 kGy. The effect of three different sample pretreatments, namely freeze-drying, alcoholic extraction, and nitric acid extraction (5, 10, and 15 %), was also investigated. Freeze-dried and alcoholic-extracted samples lacked radiation-induced ESR spectral characteristics. However, the sample treatment with 5 % nitric acid was found most appropriate to obtain clear evidence of irradiation. These findings indicate the possible need for different sample pretreatments for clear or improved ESR spectral features.     

电子束辐照对松花粉脂质氧化及其品质的影响

以原松花粉为试材,研究电子束辐照对其杀菌效果、脂肪酶活力、脂质氧化性能和营养品质的影响,并分析了破壁松花粉在加速氧化过程中色泽、过氧化值和挥发性成分的变化。结果表明,电子束辐照可显著降低松花粉中微生物含量,且辐照剂量越大,杀菌效果越显著;菌落总数、霉菌酵母数和大肠菌群的D10值分别为2.20、1.95和1.84 kGy;随着辐照剂量的增加,松花粉中脂肪酶活力、类胡萝卜素含量和游离脂肪酸含量显著降低,过氧化值略有升高但总体仍处于较低水平,当辐照剂量为8 kGy时,脂肪酶灭活率为53.52%,类胡萝卜素保留率为60.81%,游离脂肪酸含量为1.38 mg/kg,过氧化值为0.46 meq/kg;此外,8 kGy剂量辐照对松花粉的基本营养成分及氨基酸含量无明显影响,在加速氧化过程中,破壁松花粉的色泽无明显变化,过氧化值、己醛和己酸含量增幅不大。表明8 kGy电子束辐照对松花粉营养品质影响不大,并能有效杀灭微生物,抑制脂质氧化,提高产品储藏稳定性。     

Effect of gamma irradiation on the microbiological quality and antioxidant activity of fresh vegetable juice

A fresh vegetable juice has become a new functional food available for dieting and health. However, it poses a microbiological hazard to the consumer because it is distributed and consumed without any cooking. In this study, we applied the radiation sterilization of fresh vegetable juice, and the effectiveness of gamma irradiation for inactivating Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli in the carrot and kale juice was investigated. D((10)) values of S. typhimurium in the carrot and kale juice were 0.445+/-0.004 and 0.441+/-0.006 kGy, while those of E. coli were 0.301+/-0.005 and 0.299+/-0.006 kGy. The test organisms (inoculated at 10(7) cfu/ml) were eliminated by irradiation at 3 kGy. The total phenol contents of the irradiated juice during 3 days of storage at a cold chain temperature (10 degrees C) increased significantly (P<0.05), while those of the non-irradiated juice decreased (P<0.05). The antioxidant capacity of the irradiated carrot juice was higher than that of the non-irradiated control. Therefore, it was concluded that irradiation treatments of carrot and kale juice improve the microbiological safety with maintaining or even enhancing the antioxidative activity.     

Analytical screening studies on irradiated food packaging

Foods may be irradiated in their final packaging and this process may affect the composition of the packaging and in turn affect the migration of substances into food. Headspace and liquid injection GC-MS and HPLC with time-of-flight MS have been used to identify and estimate levels of radiolytic products in irradiated finished plastic packaging materials. Fifteen retail packaging materials were studied. Investigations were carried out into the effect of different irradiation types (gamma and electron beam), irradiation doses (1, 3, 7 and 10 kGy) and dose rates (5 kGy s^–1 for electron beam and 0.4 and 1.85 kGy h^–1 for gamma) on the radiolytic products. Any differences seen in comparing the two ionising radiation types were attributed largely to the very different dose rates; for electron beam a 10 kGy dose was delivered in just 2 s whereas using gamma it took 5.4 h. Differences were also seen when comparing the same samples irradiated at different doses. Some substances were not affected by irradiation, others decreased in concentration and others were formed upon increasing doses of irradiation. These results confirm that irradiation-induced changes do occur in substances with the potential to migrate and that the safety of the finished packaging material following irradiation should be assessed.     

Reduction of Salmonella spp. and strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by gamma radiation of inoculated sprouts

There have been several recent outbreaks of salmonellosis and infections with Escherichia coli O157:H7 linked to the consumption of raw sprouts. Use of ionizing radiation was investigated as a means to reduce or to totally inactivate these pathogens, if present, on the sprouts. The radiation D value, which is the amount of irradiation in kilograys for a 1-log reduction in cell numbers, for these pathogens was established using a minimum of five doses at 19 +/- 1 degrees C. Before inoculation, the sprouts were irradiated to 6 kGy to remove the background microflora. The sprouts were inoculated either with Salmonella spp. cocktails made with either meat or vegetable isolates or with E. coli O157:H7 cocktails made with either meat or vegetable isolates. The radiation D values for the Salmonella spp. cocktails on sprouts were 0.54 and 0.46 kGy, respectively, for the meat and vegetable isolates. The radiation D values for the E. coli O157:H7 cocktails on sprouts were 0.34 and 0.30 kGy, respectively, for the meat and vegetable isolates. Salmonella was not detected by enrichment culture on sprouts grown from alfalfa seeds naturally contaminated with Salmonella after the sprouts were irradiated to a dose of 0.5 kGy or greater. Ionizing radiation is a process that can be used to reduce the population of pathogens on sprouts.     

E-Beam irradiation of bagged, ready-to-eat spinach leaves (Spinacea oleracea): an engineering approach

ABSTRACT:  We experimentally assessed the efficacy of electron beam irradiation to ensure the safety and quality of ready-to-eat spinach leaves using a 2-MeV Van de Graff accelerator. Spinach leaves (approximately 8 g) inside petri dishes were irradiated up to 1 kGy and stored at 4 °C for 15 d. Nonirradiated samples served as controls. Color, texture, vitamin C, total carotenoids, and chlorophyll content were measured using standard methods. Sensory analysis was performed by 15 untrained panelists using a 9-point hedonic scale. Color of control and irradiated samples showed slight variation throughout storage. Firmness of all samples changed significantly ( P < 0.05) by half the storage time; however, exposure to radiation did not cause significant differences by the end of shelf life. Irradiation did not affect the chlorophyll and total carotenoid content, though it produced samples with significantly lower ( P < 0.05) vitamin C content. For all treatments, chlorophyll content decreased by day 15 while total carotenoids remained constant. Although, by the end of refrigerated storage, all the irradiated samples received slightly lower odor scores, sensory analysis revealed that irradiation had little or no effect on the overall quality of spinach leaves. We also simulated the dose distribution within a bag of spinach leaves irradiated using a 10-MeV linear accelerator (0.3 to 1 kGy) to quantify the problem of nonuniform dose absorbed at different parts of the bag and predict death of a pathogen such as Escherichia coli O157:H7. The simulation results confirmed that it is feasible to irradiate baby spinach leaves (up to 1 kGy) to eliminate E. coli 0157:H7 while maintaining the overall quality of the produce.     

电子束辐照对鲈鱼肉肌原纤维蛋白生化特性及其构象的影响

为研究电子束辐照在水产品保鲜应用上的可行性,采用1、3、5、7 kGy剂量电子束辐照处理鲈鱼肉,以盐溶蛋白含量、巯基含量、二硫键含量、Ca2＋-ATPase活力、表面疏水性、羰基含量及其构象单元组成等为指标,探究不同剂量辐照对鲈鱼肉肌原纤维蛋白生化特性及其空间结构的影响。与对照组相比,1 kGy辐照组除总巯基含量显著上升外（P＜0.05）,其他指标水平均无显著变化（P＞0.05）。随着辐照剂量继续上升,盐溶蛋白含量、活性巯基含量、Ca2＋-ATPase活力下降,羰基和二硫键含量上升,且呈剂量-效应关系;表面疏水性则随辐照剂量上升先增大后减小,并于5 kGy时达到最大值。圆二色光谱分析结果显示,随着辐照剂量的上升,鲈鱼肉肌原纤维蛋白中的α-螺旋结构向β-折叠转化。结果显示高剂量辐照会引起鲈鱼肉肌原纤维蛋白氧化,利用电子束辐照保鲜鲈鱼肉应控制剂量,实验结果为辐照保鲜鱼肉提供了依据。     

Effects of electron‐beam irradiation on physicochemical properties of starches separated from stored wheat

Effects of electron‐beam irradiation (0, 1.0, 2.7, and 4.4 kGy) on physicochemical properties, MW distribution as well as microstructure of starches separated from electron‐beam irradiated and stored wheats were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), SEM, and static multi‐angle laser light scattering (MALLS). The profiles of starch viscosity illustrated that peak, hot paste, cold paste, and setback were considerably decreased with increasing irradiation dose. The DSC pattern indicated that the electron‐beam irradiation caused a slight decrease in gelatinization temperature. SEM results showed that on the surfaces of a few starch granules fissures appeared and that they become rough when the irradiation doses reached 4.4 kGy. Damaged starch (DS) contents analysis suggested that the DS increased from 5.33 to 7.38% as the dose increased from 0 (control) to 4.4 kGy. HPSEC measurement showed that the starch molecule were gradually degraded due to the electron‐beam irradiation treatment, and the molar mass of wheat starches decreased by one order of magnitude when the irradiation doses reached 4.4 kGy.     

Electron beam and gamma irradiation effectively reduce Listeria monocytogenes populations on chopped romaine lettuce

Fresh, chopped romaine lettuce contaminated with a seven-strain cocktail of Listeria monocytogenes (in a solution containing approximately 10(8) organisms per ml) that had attained a level of contamination of between 7 and 8 log CFU/g was packaged in 15-g samples. The lettuce was irradiated with a Co60 source at 1.15 or 0.51 kGy and then stored at 4 degrees C. In addition, samples contaminated with isolated strains 16397, 0733, and 1992 were subjected to either electron beam irradiation at doses ranging from 0.3 to 1.2 kGy or gamma irradiation at 0.56 kGy without subsequent refrigerated storage. All postirradiation and control samples were diluted with Butterfield's phosphate buffer and plated in duplicate on modified Oxford media. Samples that received electron beam or gamma irradiation without subsequent refrigerated storage were also plated in duplicate on modified Oxford media plates coated with two 7-ml layers of basal yeast extract agar. Electron beam irradiation yielded D10-values (the dose required to eliminate 90% of the microbial population) of 0.16, 0.17, and 0.19 kGy for strains 16397, 0733, and 1992, respectively. The corresponding log reductions obtained for these same three strains at 0.56 kGy of gamma irradiation were 2.91, 2.62, and 2.66 log, respectively. Gamma irradiation at 1.15 and 0.51 kGy with subsequent refrigerated storage (4 degrees C) reduced populations by > 5 and > 2 log, respectively, compared with controls. Neither the irradiated samples nor the control samples showed increases in population during the storage periods. Our results indicate that low-dose irradiation can effectively reduce or eliminate L. monocytogenes on chopped romaine lettuce, improving the safety of ready-to-eat salads.     

电子束辐照进口冷冻牛腩的剂量分布及感官特性研究

目的 确认电子束辐照冷冻牛腩的剂量分布特性,研究不同剂量电子束辐照对冷冻牛腩的杀菌效果及辐照后产品色泽、风味、质构等感官指标的变化,为冷冻牛腩辐照杀菌的工艺设定和质量控制提供技术参考依据。方法 对不同厚度的冷冻牛腩块分别用8 kGy进行单面及双面电子束辐照,检测其内部剂量分布,确定辐照适宜的产品厚度,在此基础上用0 kGy、2 kGy、4 kGy不同剂量对商品包装（1 kg/袋,最大厚度不超过8 cm）的冷冻牛腩进行电子束双面辐照,检测菌落总数、霉菌和酵母、大肠菌群,同时利用色差仪、电子鼻、质构仪检测冷冻牛腩及其熟制品的色泽、风味、质构等感官指标。结果 单面电子束辐照冷冻牛腩的内部剂量呈先上升后下降趋势,快速下降发生在3.5~5 cm深度区域,产品厚度3.5 cm时剂量不均匀度为1.57。双面辐照可增加电子束穿透深度,8.1cm厚度双面辐照的剂量不均匀度为1.62。冷冻牛腩中菌落总数、霉菌和酵母、大肠菌群均有检出,电子束辐照可显著降低冷冻牛腩微生物水平,商品包装的冷冻牛腩经2 kGy电子束双面辐照后无大肠菌群检出,菌落总数、霉菌和酵母分别较未辐照处理降低98.8%和89.2%。电子束辐照对冷冻牛腩及其熟制品风味、质构无不良影响,4 kGy处理显著还提高了冷冻牛腩回复性,但电子束辐照导致冷冻牛腩色泽参数a值和b值显著下降,且剂量越高下降幅度越大。电子束辐照对色泽的影响程度在冷冻牛腩熟制后降低,2 kGy处理的b值显著高于未辐照处理,其它各处理的a值、b值与未辐照处理均无显著差异。结论 8.1cm厚度冷冻牛腩电子束双面辐照的剂量不均匀度为1.62,冷冻牛腩2 kGy双面辐照后无大肠菌群检出,菌落总数显著降低,风味、质构无不良变化,但色泽参数a、b值显著下降,产品红色消退,熟制可以降低辐照对色泽的不良影响。