The changes in DNA damage were investigated during storage after irradiation. Potato, garlic were irradiated at 0.05, 0.07, 0.1 and 0.15 kGy and stored for 3 months. Ginger was irradiated at 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05 kGy and stored for 1 month. The comet assay was applied to the sample immediately after irradiation and at the end of storage. Samples were isolated, grounded and the suspended cells were embedded in an agarose layer. After lysis of the cells, they were electrophoresed for 1 min. and then stained. DNA fragmentation in seeds caused by irradiation was quantified as tail length and tail moment (tail length ×% DNA in tail) by comet image analyzing system. Right after irradiation, the differences in tail length between unirradiated and irradiated samples were significant(p〈0.05) in potato, garlic and ginger. With increasing the irradiation doses, statistically significant longer extension of the DNA from the nucleus toward anode was observed. The results represented as tail moment showed similar tendency to those of tail length. Similarly in the stored samples, even 1 or 3 months after irradiation, all the irradiated samples significantly showed longer tail length than the unirradiated controls. These results indicate that the comet assay could be one of the simple methods of detecting irradiated samples. Moreover, the method could detect DNA damage even after 1 or 3 months after irradiation.

The changes in DNA damage were investigated during storage after irradiation. Beef, pork and chicken were irradiated at 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 kGy and stored for 6 months at -20℃. The comet assay was applied to the sample muscles at the beginning of irradiation and at the end of storage. Muscles were isolated, sliced, and the suspended cells were embedded in an agarose layer. After lysis of the cells, they were electrophoresed for 2 min. and then stained. DNA fragmentation in tissues caused by irradiation was quantified as tail length and tail moment (tail length × % DNA in tail) by comet image analyzing system. Right after irradiation, the differences in tail length between unirradiated and irradiated muscles were significant(p〈0.05) in beef, pork and chicken. With increasing the increasing doses, statistically significant longer extension of the DNA from the nucleus toward anode was observed. Similarly even 6 months after irradiation, all the irradiated muscles significantly showed longer tail length than the unirradiated controls. The results represented as tail moment showed similar tendency to those of tail length, but the latter parameter was more sensitive than the former. These results indicate that the comet assay could be one of the simple methods of detecting irradiated muscles. Moreover, this method suggest that using comet assay, we were able to detect DNA damage differences even after 6 months after irradiation.

본 연구는 과일류의 방사선 조사 여부를 검지하기 위해서 생물학적 방법인 발아법으로 방사선 조사여부를 확인하였다. 과일류는 사과, 오렌지, 그리고 레몬으로 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0 kGy의 조사선량으로 방사선 조사하고 7일 동안 순의 길이를 측정하여 방사선 조사에 의한 발아 특성을 살펴보았다. 모든 시료는 7일 동안 지속적인 길이 성상을 하였지만, 방사선 조사에 의해서 길이 성장이 억제되어 3일에서 5일부터는 순의 길이에 유의적인 차이를 보이지않았다. 사과를 제외하고, 오렌지는 5일째 자자 비조사 시료는 0.5 cm이상 길이를 보여 비조사 시료와 조사 시료의 구분이 가능하였다. 레몬은 발아 5일째 0.2 cm 이하의 길이를 보여 비조사 시료와 조사시료의 구분이 가능하였다. 또한 오렌지와 레몬는 B일부터 길이 성장정도가 현저히 낮아지고 발아 5일동안 비조사 시료의 성장성토가 가상 큰 것으로 나타났다. 과일류의 방사선 조사여부는 발아 7일 동안 순 길이의 유의적인 길이성장과 비조사 시료와 조사 시료들의 성상정도를 측정함으로써 확인 가능하였다.

A 5-day germination test is applicable to detect biological changes in irradiated wheat and barley at low doses. Seeds were irradiated at below 0.5 kGy, husked and placed on distilled water-moistend filter paper in a covered Petri-dish. Water was supplied everyday. To evaluate the growth rate, the length of shoots and roots was measured during germination. In wheat, the shoots of all samples grew well during 5 days, but the shoot length and the daily growth extent decreased with increasing doses. The roots of non-irradiated wheat showed the highest daily growth extent during 5 days and the root length was over 20 mm at 3rd day. In barley, the growth of shoots and roots was retarded at 0.3 kGy or more after 3 days. It was concluded that if the root length was 20mm or longer within 3 days, wheat and barley were identified as non-irradiated. The germination test was proved a promising screening method for the detection of irradiated wheat and barley.

The germination test was used to detect biological changes in irradiated rice and glutenous rice at low doses. Grains were irradiated at below 0.5 kGy, husked and placed on distilled water moistend filter paper in a covered petri-dish. A germination test of 20 grains was carried out at room temperature for 5 days. The shoots and roots of non-irradiated rites grew well in comparison with those of irradiated rites above 0.3 kGy. The roots of rites were more sensitive to irradiation than the shoots, and the growth of roots was significantly decreased with the increasing doses. In glutinous rites, the growth of shoots and roots was retarded by irradiation at 0.2 kGy or more after 3rd days. We concluded that if the shoot or root length is 10 mm or longer within 5 day, the rites and glutinous rites are identified as non-irradiated.

A survey was conducted to examine the effect of food irradiation education on college students' knowledge and acceptance of food irradiation. The instrument for the knowledge and acceptance of food irradiation was administered before and after food irradiation education, to 150 students majoring in food and nutrition or food technology in the Chungnam National University. Before the education approximately 93% of the respondents did not know that radioactivity dose not remain in food after irradiation; whereas, after education half of them thought that radioactivity dose not remain in irradiated food. Knowledge about food irradiation has improved through education. The education significantly increased all the mean scores of need for food irradiation and willingness to use irradiated foods for the six food groups (p<0.01). The education significantly decreased the mean scores of concern about the irradiated food for all the six food groups (p<0.01). Although the responses to irradiated foods are, in general, negative or neutral even after education, the mean scores of acceptance of the irradiated foods have improved through education in all the six food groups (p<0.01). In conclusion, this study showed that food irradiation education may positively affect the college students' knowledge and acceptance of food irradiation, and that the development of both the appropriate detection methods to identify irradiated foods and the education programs to enlighten the college students are needed.

A survey was conducted to examine the knowledge and acceptance of food irradiation in order to provide baseline data required in the development of food irradiation education programs for college students. 150 students majoring in food and nutrition or food technology in the Chungnam National University were chosen for a survey. The results are as follows. First, college students' knowledge about food irradiation is scanty. Knowledge assessment showed that 56% of the participants had previously heard of food irradiation. 68% of the respondents thought that radioactivity remains in food after irradiation and 25.3% of them were not sure whether radioactivity remains in food after irradiation or not. Only half of the respondents thought that nutrient loss due to irradiation is equal to or lower than that due to cooking or freezing. Second, approximately 56% of the respondents showed that food irradiation is somewhat or strongly needed for meat or fish; whereas, over 60% of them showed that food irradiation is not needed for grain, vegetable and fruit. Almost 40% of the respondents were seriously concerned about irradiation of vegetables and fruits; whereas, they showed less concern about spice irradiation. More than half of the respondents were not willing to use irradiated food in all the six food groups. Third, the correlation analysis showed that the need of food irradiation is negatively correlated with concerning about the irradiated fish and fruits, but positively correlated with willingness to use irradiated food in all the five food groups, except in spices. Concern about the irradiated food is negatively correlated with willingness to use irradiated food from all the six food groups. Fourth, almost all the respondents (over 90%) agreed that the irradiated food labeling is required as well as the development of proper methods to identify irradiated foods.

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was used to detect irradiated chicken eggs, to investigate the effect of irradiation dose on the ESR signal intensity and to identify the stability of radicals under 77 days of storage. Raw chicken eggs were irradiated with doses of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 kGy at room temperature using a Co-60 irradiator. The samples were prepared by separating, drying and powdering shells from the raw eggs. The irradiated chicken egg shells presented an asymmetric absorption in shape at g₁=2.0023±0.00004 and g₂=1.9979±0.00005, different from the non-irradiated ones. The strength of the ESR signal increased linearly with the applied doses (to 5 kGy). The intensity of the ESR signals after irradiation were stable even after 77-day of storage at 5℃ and/or room temperature.

A study was carried out to establish a detection method for irradiated black and white pepper. Samples were packed in polyethylene bags and irradiated with 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 15 kGy using a Co-60 irradiator. The samples were suspended in water, and alkalized with sodium hydroxide solution. Apparent viscosity was determined after heat gelatinization using a Brookfield DV-III rotation viscometer at 30 with 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 rpm. Means and standard deviations of the viscosities of all samples decreased by increasing the stirring speeds. The viscosities increased in all samples by increasing the concentration. Regression expressions and coefficients of viscosity which decreased with increasing irradiation dose of 10% and 13% black pepper, and 7% and 10% white pepper were 0.9531 (y=-131.29x+1,769.0), 0.9725 (y=-351.33x+4,036.0), 0.9731 (y=2,208.0e^(-0.3546x)), and 0.9959 (y=5,116.0e^(0.2887x)), respectively, at 120 rpm. This trend was similar for all stirring speeds. These results suggest that the detection of irradiated black and white pepper at various doses is possible by the viscometric method.

Progress in commercialization of the irradiation process, greater international trade in irradiated food, differing regulations relating to use of the technology in many countries, and consumer demand for clear labeling of irradiated food highlighted the need for tests that could be applied to the food itself. Scientists have had to focus on identifying and isolating the minute changes caused in the component food molecules by the process. A number of investigators have reviewed the changes occurring in food after irradiation, detecting and measuring the effects of irradiation. The Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture organised a coordinated program on analytical detection methods in irradiation treatment of food (ADMIT) which promoted cooperation in this area and sponsored collaborative testing of some of the most promising methods.