What radioactive isotopes are used to irradiate food?

‘nly certain radiation sources can be used in food irradiation. These are the radionuclides cobalt-60 or caesium- 137; X-ray machines having a maxi- mum energy of five million electron he radionuclide used al- most exclusively for the ir- radiation of food by gamma rays is cobalt-60.

How is cobalt-60 used to preserve food?

Conservation and preservation of food. The action of gamma rays radiation, emitted for instance by a cobalt-60 source, leads to ruptures of chemical bonds in their interaction with the matter of living organisms. This phenomenon allow an efficient and reliable elimination of bacteria, fungi and parasites in food.

How do you irradiate food?

Food can also be irradiated by X-rays. In this sytem an electron beam accelerator targets electrons on a metal plate. Some energy is absorbed and the rest is converted to X-rays. Like gamma rays, X-rays can penetrate food boxes up to 15 inches thick or more, thus permitting food to be processed in a shipping container.

How do gamma rays kill bacteria?

Gamma irradiation is a physical/chemical means of sterilization, because it kills bacteria by breaking down bacterial DNA, inhibiting bacterial division. Energy of gamma rays passes through the equipment, disrupting the pathogens that cause contamination.

What are the main uses of cobalt 60?

What is it used for? Co-60 is used medically for radiation therapy as implants and as an external source of radiation exposure. It is used industrially in leveling gauges and to x-ray welding seams and other structural elements to detect flaws. Co-60 also is used for food irradiation, a sterilization process.

Can organic food be irradiated?

The USDA works with the FDA to incorporate food irradiation where it is appropriate. The USDA also controls the use of the word “organic” on food labels. Foods which have been irradiated, no matter how they are grown or produced, cannot be labeled as a USDA certified organic product.

Why is irradiation of food bad?

Research also shows that irradiation forms volatile toxic chemicals such as benzene and toluene, chemicals known, or suspected, to cause cancer and birth defects. Irradiation has also been shown to cause the low-level production of furans (similar to cancer-causing dioxins) in fruit juice.

How do gamma rays kill cancer cells?

At high doses, radiation therapy kills cancer cells or slows their growth by damaging their DNA. Cancer cells whose DNA is damaged beyond repair stop dividing or die. When the damaged cells die, they are broken down and removed by the body.

What can stop a gamma ray?

Gamma rays have so much penetrating power that several inches of a dense material like lead, or even a few feet of concrete may be required to stop them.

What foods can be irradiated with radioactive isotopes?

Eggs and some meat, such as beef, pork, and poultry, can also be irradiated. Contrary to the belief of some people, irradiation of food does not make the food itself radioactive. Radioactive isotopes have numerous medical applications—diagnosing and treating illnesses and diseases.

How is radioisotope technology used to preserve food?

In all parts of the world there is growing use of irradiation technology to preserve food. More than 60 countries worldwide have introduced regulations allowing the use of irradiation for food products including spices, grains, fruit, vegetables, and meat.

How are radioactive isotopes used in everyday life?

Contrary to the belief of some people, irradiation of food does not make the food itself radioactive. Radioactive isotopes have numerous medical applications—diagnosing and treating illnesses and diseases. One example of a diagnostic application is using radioactive iodine-131 to test for thyroid activity (Figure 11.4. 2 ).

What happens to food when it is irradiated?

Irradiation does not make foods radioactive, compromise nutritional quality, or noticeably change the taste, texture, or appearance of food. In fact, any changes made by irradiation are so minimal that it is not easy to tell if a food has been irradiated. Food irradiation (the application of ionizing radiation to food) is a technology …

What kind of radiation is used to irradiate foods?

Irradiated Foods. Irradiation is the process of exposing a material to ionizing radiation whose source is photons ( γ -rays, x rays), or high energy electrons. Commonly, γ -rays are produced by radioactive isotopes such as cobalt-60 and cesium-137.

What kind of isotopes are used in food?

Commonly, γ -rays are produced by radioactive isotopes such as cobalt-60 and cesium-137. These isotopes have been approved for use in food because the γ -rays they produce have insufficient energy to induce radioactivity in foods. Conversely, electron beams are produced by electron accelerators,…

Why are radioisotopes used to preserve food in space?

As well as reducing spoilage after harvesting, increased use of food irradiation is driven by concerns about food-borne diseases as well as growing international trade in foodstuffs which must meet stringent standards of quality. On their trips into space, astronauts eat foods preserved by irradiation.