The use of gamma radiation from cobalt-60 in the control of diseases of the honey-bee and the sterilization of honey
Honeycomb and honey heavily contaminated with spores of Bacillus larvae (agent of American foulbrood disease of honeybee larvae) were exposed to gamma radiation from Co60. Sterility was achieved by a dose of 1.5 x 104 to 2.0 x 106 rad. Sugar-tolerant yeasts in honey were effectively destroyed by a dose of 1 x 106 rad whereas cysts of Nosema apis (agent of nosema disease of adult bees) were inactivated by a dose of 0.2 x 106 rad. The honey samples before testing were golden-brown and irradiation caused a progressive decrease in the intensity of this color resulting in a straw-colored liquid on treatment with a dose of 2 Mrad. There was a slight change in honey flavor and gas evolution occurred in all treated samples. The results show that pasteurization or sterilization of honey can be achieved with relatively little difficulty and with a comparatively small irradiation unit. However, a slight intensification of flavor as a result of gamma irradiation and a distinct change from a dark to a light color requires further study in relation to the food and market value of the honey.
- Research Organization:
- Canada Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-16-032664
- OSTI ID:
- 4757606
- Journal Information:
- Canadian Journal of Microbiology, Vol. 8, Issue 2; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62; ISSN 0008-4166
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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