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COLD STERILIZATION OF FOOD AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
Denise M. Smith
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Abstract
The possibility of sterilization by ionizing radiation opens a new era in the food industry. The units of absorbed radiation are the rep'' and the rad.'' The lethal dose for humans is 800 rep, for bacteria 1 to 4 x 10/sup 6/ rep, for toxins and enzymes 5 x 10/sup 6/ rep. The most effective and economic radiation sources are radioisotopes. However, upon irradiation of food products with sufficiently large doses, chemical side effects were observed which caused undesirable color or organoleptic changes. This is especially true in cases of meat and meat products, grain and grain products, vegetables, oils, fats, milk and milk products. The sterilization of pharmaceutical products by means of irradiation is more promising, e.g., such products as hormones and antibiotics can be irradiated in sealed containers up to 10/sup 6/ rep without losing their physical or physiological characteristics. (OID)