Changes in colour and antioxidant activities of Hizikia fusiformis cooking drips by gamma irradiation

To utilize the cooking drips produced during the seaweed drying process, the effect of gamma irradiation on microbial contamination, colour, and antioxidant activities of Hizikia fusiformis cooking drips (HCD) was investigated. A two log cycles reduction of total aerobic bacteria and yeast and moulds counts was obtained irradiating HCD at 1 kGy. The Hunter L^∗ value of the HCD ethanol extract was increased by the gamma irradiation treatment, but the a^∗ and b^∗ values decreased upon irradiation depending on the absorbed dose. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and β-carotene bleaching activities of the HCD extracts increased as a result of gamma irradiation, which was rationalized by the observed increase in polyphenolic compounds content. These results suggest that wasted cooking drips can be used as a functional component by the food and cosmetic industries if the irradiation technology were applied.     

Anti-allergic effect of low molecular weight β-glucan prepared by λ-irradiation

This study evaluated the anti-allergic effect of low molecular weight β-glucan (25 kDa) degraded by λ-irradiation. Allergy was induced in mouse models administrated with λ-irradiated low molecular weight and non-irradiated high molecular weight β-glucan, respectively, for 7 days. However, only the mice treated with low molecular weight β-glucan had a significantly decreased the total serum IgE and ovalbumin specific-IgE levels, and significantly increased Th 1 cytokine expression compared to only allergy induced mice. The allergic responses could be reduced by low molecular weight β-glucan treated λ-irradiation through the increased expression of Th 1 response and decreased expression of total IgE and antigen specific IgE.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on microbial analysis, antioxidant activity, sugar content and color of ready-to-use tamarind juice during storage

Gamma irradiation is highly effective in inactivating microorganisms in various foods and it offers a safe alternative method of food decontamination. In the present study, the effect of gamma irradiation on microbial analysis, antioxidant activity, sugar content, color and sensory evaluation of ready-to-use tamarind juice was investigated during storage. A fresh tamarind juice was prepared by dissolving 5 g of pulp/100 ml of deionized distilled water and irradiated at 0, 1, 3 and 5 kGy at room temperature. Microbiological assay of the fresh and stored ready-to-use tamarind juice showed better quality after gamma irradiation. Antioxidant ability was studied by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), FRAP (ferric reducing/antioxidant power) and total phenolic contents, and gamma irradiation had a significant increase or maintenance on the antioxidant potential of the ready-to-use tamarind juice. Contents of glucose and fructose also showed minimal alterations both in the fresh and stored samples. There was a significant improvement in the Hunter color value in both the fresh and stored tamarind juice. To conclude, gamma irradiation improves the microbial decontamination and the antioxidants as well as the color of the ready-to-use tamarind juice without any adverse change in sensory qualities.     

Structural and antioxidant properties of gamma irradiated hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid (Hyaluronan, HA) was depolymerised by gamma irradiation and its structural changes and antioxidant activities were investigated. The structural changes of gamma irradiated HA were studied by gel-permeation chromatography (GPC), viscosity, pH, Hunter colour measurement, UV spectrophotometry, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that gamma irradiation decreased molecular weight size, viscosity and pH of the hyaluronic acid and its colour turned to intense yellow. UV spectra of the irradiated HA showed a change at 265 nm, which indicates the formation of double bonds. Differences in the height and shape of certain absorption bonds of FT-IR spectra in the range 1700–1750 cm⁻¹ were also observed, which is associated with the formation of carboxylic acid. From these structural changes of the HA, gamma irradiation may have a role in the formation of pyrancarboxylic acid rings. DPPH radical scavenging ability and the reducing power of gamma irradiated HA were significantly higher than that of non-irradiated HA. However, non-irradiated and irradiated HA did not show significant differences in the Rancimat test.     

Comparison of gamma ray and electron beam irradiations on the degradation of carboxymethylcellulose

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is used for a variety of applications due to its superior properties of high viscosity at a low concentration. In this study, the difference between a gamma ray (GR) irradiation from Co-60 and an electron beam (EB) irradiation with 10 MeV Energy on the viscosity change in CMC solution was compared. At the same irradiation doses, the viscosity of the CMC solution was more severely decreased by GR. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy revealed that the radicals in the CMC were more generated by GR, but there was no difference in the Fourier transform infrared spectra of both irradiated CMC solutions. Also, the degree of substitution in CMC was not changed by both irradiation events. From these results, it can be concluded that EB irradiation could better minimize the decrease in the viscosity of the solution with CMC for the sterilization than GR.     

Structural feature and antioxidant activity of low molecular weight laminarin degraded by gamma irradiation

Recently, it has been reported that low molecular weight laminarin had enhanced biological activities. In this study, laminarin was degraded by gamma irradiation, and the changes in its structure and antioxidant property were investigated. Gel permeation chromatography data showed that the average molecular weight of the irradiated laminarin decreased significantly as the irradiation dose increased. The absorbance at 290 nm, from UV spectra, was increased, depending on the irradiation dose and caused by the formation of carbonyl groups. From the NMR analysis, the ratio of β-1,3- to β-1,6-linkages was not changed, indicating the random scission of chains by gamma irradiation. The antioxidative activities, measured by Rancimat test, were all increased in the gamma-irradiated laminarin, depending on the absorbed dose, presumably due to the carbonyl groups formed by gamma irradiation. Therefore, gamma irradiation could be a promising method for preparing low molecular weight laminarin with enhanced biological activities.     

Effect of electron beam irradiation on the viscosity of carboxymethylcellulose solution

In this study, the effects of an electron beam irradiation on the viscosity of a carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) solution were investigated. The viscosity of the CMC solution was decreased with an increase in the irradiation dose. Interestingly, the extent of the degradation of the CMC was found to decrease with an increase of the CMC concentration in the solution. The change of the average molar mass confirmed the decrease in the viscosity due to the degradation of the polymer. The energy of the electron beam also affected the degradation of the CMC. Lower degradation of the CMC was obtained with a decreasing electron beam energy due to its lower penetration. Addition of vitamin C as a radical scavenger to the solution and an irradiation at −70 °C were shown to be moderately effective in preventing a decrease in the viscosity of the solution by irradiation.     

Combined effects of heating and γ-irradiation on the microbiological and sensory characteristics of Gochujang (Korean fermented red pepper paste) sauce during storage

This study was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of heating and γ-irradiation on the microbiological and sensory characteristics of gochujang sauce. Gochujang sauces could be sterilized by heating (HT: 121°C for 15 min) or γ-irradiation (IR: 30 kGy), but their sensory qualities were severely decreased. Otherwise, the combined treatment of heat and γ-irradiation could minimize the change of sensory qualities. Combination treatment of γ-irradiation at 17.5 kGy after heating at 100°C for 30 min (HT-IR) would be optimal. During storage the gochujang sauce samples then were analyzed to enumerate total bacterial populations, to measure pH, and Hunter’s color values, and for sensory evaluation. Any growth of total bacterial populations was not observed in HT, IR, and HT-IR (detection limited 1< log CFU/g). The pH values of gochujang sauce ranged from 4.57 to 4.75 during storage. The Hunter’s (L*, a*, and b*) values of gochujang sauce were gradually decreased during storage, regardless of treatment. Sensory characteristics and acceptance of HT and IR were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those of non-treated control and HT-IR, but there was no difference (p⩾0.05) among non-treated control and HT-IR.