Evaluation of electron spin resonance technique for the detection of irradiated mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruits.
Bhushan B., Kadam R. M., Thomas P., Singh B. B.
Author Affiliation: Food Technology and Enzyme Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay 400?085, India.
International Journal of Food Science & Technology 29 : 679-686
Abstract : The electron spin resonance (ESR) technique was examined as a method for the detection of irradiated mango fruits. A symmetric ESR signal at g = 1.988 was detected in the hard seed cover (endocarp), the dry epidermal layer (testa) surrounding the kernel and the soft kernel portions of the seed from 4 mango cultivars (Alphonso, Chausa, Langra and Totapuri). The amplitude of the signal in the epidermal layer and seed cover showed a dose-dependent increase over control values. Qualitatively, however, no new signal was observed following irradiation, except that line width increased by 50%. Methyl cellosolve washing greatly reduced the intensity of the endogenous and radiation (1.0 kGy)-induced ESR signals in the seed cover; results suggest phenolic substances as the source of free radicals. The similarity of naturally occurring ESR signals to that induced by irradiation seems to restrict the practical utility of this method in irradiated mangoes.