Radiolyo-chemiluminescence of bones and seafood shells ? a new, promising method for the detection of food irradiation?

Abstract

Biomineral substances are dissolved in an alkaline mixture of luminol solution and EDTA. Light emission is observed upon dissolution of irradiated calcium carbonate in mollusk and crustacean shells and calcium hydroxyapatite in bones, showing a significantly increased chemiluminescence compared to unirradiated samples. This enables the determination of exposure to ionizing radiation and in some cases even dosimetry. The method described is simple in sample preparation and fast for the detection of irradiated seafood and poultry.

Impact of Irradiation on Fish and Seafood Shelf Life: A Comprehensive Review of Applications and Irradiation Detection

“…None of the 11 analyzed samples contained tyrosine above the background level. Furuta et al (1997) developed a method to detect irradiated frozen shrimp without cuticle, cod slices, and deshelled oyster, Downloaded by [MacEwan University Libraries] at 10:22 20 November 2014 Oysters give almost no lyoluminescence, but mussels, clams, and prawn shells Radiolyochemiluminescence 2.5, 5 and 7.5 kGy, gamma irradiation The developed lyoluminescence method seems to be a possible alternative to ESR or thermo-luminescence measurements in the range of the usually applied irradiation doses of 3-8 kGy - Anderle et al, 1996 Fish and edible mollusks (mussels and clams)…”

“…Luminescence Anderle et al (1996) found that irradiated samples displayed a significantly higher radiolyo-chemiluminescence than nonirradiated control samples. Nonirradiated oysters gave almost no lyoluminescence, but mussels, clams and prawn shells cause a measurable light emission.…”