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U.S. Department of Energy
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Evaluation of the health aspects of certain compounds found in irradiated beef. Supplement II. Possible radiolytic compounds. Final report, 1 October 1977-31 March 1979

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5458153

Volatile products of beef irradiated with 56 kGy (5.6 Mrad) and approximately -30 C have been identified and their health aspects discussed in a previous report. In addition to these volatile radiolytic compounds, other, nonvolatile products are possible. This report attempts to identify the compounds which might result from beef irradiation; to estimate roughly the concentrations of such products; and to evaluate their possible hazard to health. There is very little carbohydrate in beef and its radiolytic products should be relatively innocuous in the amounts produced. Few radiolytic products have been identified from the protein component of beef. The bulk of radiolytic products found in beef has come from the fat moiety. Simple triglycerides have been studied extensively and sites of bond scission have been identified. The major products are fatty acids, diglycerides, and diol diesters. The concentrations of these classes have been estimated at approximately 0.5 to 1.0 g per kg irradiated beef. Lesser amounts of many other compounds are possible, including hydrocarbons of varying chain lengths, glycerol, monoglycerides, aldehydes, and ketones. The biological effects of each of these classes have been considered.

Research Organization:
Federation of America Societies for Experimental Biology, Bethesda, MD. Life Sciences Research Office
OSTI ID:
5458153
Report Number(s):
AD-A-075463
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English