What is a unique radiolytic product?
Radiation can do strange things to food, by creating substances called “unique radiolytic products.” These irradiation byproducts include a variety of mutagens – substances that can cause gene mutations, polyploidy (an abnormal condition in which cells contain more than two sets of chromosomes), chromosome aberrations …
Which foods are irradiated?
The FDA has approved a variety of foods for irradiation in the United States including:
- Beef and Pork.
- Crustaceans (e.g., lobster, shrimp, and crab)
- Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.
- Lettuce and Spinach.
- Poultry.
- Seeds for Sprouting (e.g., for alfalfa sprouts)
- Shell Eggs.
- Shellfish – Molluscan.
What are the products of radiolysis of water?
The radiolysis of water due to ionizing radiation results in the production of electrons, H· atoms, ·OH radicals, H3O+ ions and molecules (dihydrogen H2 and hydrogen peroxide H2O2).
What is meant by radiolysis?
: chemical decomposition by the action of radiation.
Why is irradiation not hazardous?
Irradiation from radioactive decay can damage living cells. This can be put to good use as well as being a hazard. Irradiation does not cause radioactivity.
What is Gamma radiolysis?
3 Gamma radiation-based AOPs (Radiolysis) Radiolysis involves production of radicals, highly reactive electrons, ions, and neutral species via exposure of water with high-energy electromagnetic waves/radiation, X-rays, gamma radiation from radioactive sources of 60Co and 137Cs or electron linear accelerators [195–197].
Is radiation a chemistry?
Radiation chemistry is a branch of chemistry (some say physical chemistry) that studies chemical transfor- mations in materials exposed to high-energy radiations. It uses radiation as the initiator of chemical reactions, as a source of energy that disrupts the sensitive energy balance in stable systems.
What happens to water when exposed to radiation?
Any radioactive material that gets into surface water or ground water sources will be diluted to very low levels by the water and will be safe to use for washing skin, hair, and clothing.
What are the pros and cons of irradiation?
Irradiation is also a highly effective form of preservation, — reduces spoilage and decomposition and increasing shelf life — controls insects on imported fruits, — destroys imported insects and reduces the “need for other pest-control practices that may harm the fruit” — and delays the sprouting and ripening of foods …