Detection of Gamma-Irradiation Treatment in Imported Spices by ESR Spectroscopy

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the effects of irradiation doses and storage times on three spices. Three imported spices (Brassica juncea, Origanum vulgare, Laurus nobilis) were irradiated with doss of 0, 1, 5 and 10 kGy using a Co-60 irradiator at room temperature. ESR signals were measured from each sample by a Bruker-EPR spectrometer. The gamma-irradiated Brassica and Laurus nobilis exhibited characteristic signals, which were different from those of the non-irradiated ones. Non-irradiated and irradiated Origanum vulgare exhibited single lines, with higher ESR signals in irradiated sample than in non-irradiated sample. The ESR signals increased linearly with increasing irradiation doses . A strong positive correlation coefficient was obtained between the irradiation doses and the corresponding ESR signal intensities. Although the ESR signal intensities decreased with storage time, signals from the three irradiated spices were observed even after 12 weeks of storage at room temperature.