Detection of Hydrocarbons Induced by Gamma and Electron Beam Irradiation in Ground Beef by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

This study determined hydrocarbons induced by gamma and electron beam irradiation of ground beef. The samples were irradiated with 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, and 20 kGy dosages of gamma-rays and an electron beam. The lipid contents were extracted by hexane and the induced hydrocarbons were separated and identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The analytical method was validated by characterization of detection limits, linearity, precision, and recovery; satisfactory results were obtained in all cases. The major hydrocarbons detected in irradiated ground beef samples were pentadecane and 1-tetradecene from palmitic acid, heptadecane, and 1-hexadecene from stearic acid, and 8-heptadecene and 1,7-hexadecadiene from oleic acid. The induced hydrocarbons were detected at irradiation levels above 2.5 kGy but not in the absence of irradiation. The induced hydrocarbons showed an increase with radiation dosage, but the concentration was slightly higher for gamma rays than for the electron beam. The 1-tetradecene, 8-heptadecene, and 1,7-hexadecadiene were detected as the major hydrocarbons and showed good linearity with irradiation level. It was concluded that these major hydrocarbons are suitable markers to distinguish irradiated and unirradiated ground beef.

Keywords:

• Electron beam
• Gamma-rays
• GC-MS
• Ground beef
• Hydrocarbons

Notes

^1)a–g Values with different letters within a column differ significantly (P < 0.05).

²⁾Mean ± standard deviation (n = 3).

^1)a–g Values with different letters within a column differ significantly (P < 0.05).

²⁾Mean ± standard deviation (n = 3).

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