Polyclonal antibody to ovomucoid determination in gamma irradiated laying eggs

To determine allergenic foods, one of the most used tests is the immunoassays such as ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The aim of this study was to determine the polyclonal antibody efficiency, produced in laboratory, to identify the presence the ovomucoid antigen in treated eggs by gamma irradiation for its inactivation. To evaluate the treatments, polyclonal antibody was produced. It was used, in nature, commercial laying eggs. Samples were submitted to the gamma radiation coming from a source of Co⁶⁰, under a dose rate of 19.4 and 31.8 Gy/h, in the doses: 0 (control); 10 kGy; 20 kGy and 30 kGy, in all rates. By the ELISA’s test we can find the egg allergen ovomucoid and the radiation treatment do not showed considerable changes. So we can conclude that the antibody produced is capable of identify the ovomucoid allergenic protein and the gamma irradiation in such rates does not shows changes in that protein.     

Gamma radiation induced oxidation and tocopherols decrease in in-shell, peeled and blanched peanuts

In-shell, peeled and blanched peanut samples were characterized in relation to proximate composition and fatty acid profile. No difference was found in relation to its proximate composition. The three major fatty acids were palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. In order to investigate irradiation and storage effects, peanut samples were submitted to doses of 0.0, 5.0, 7.5 or 10.0 kGy, stored for six months at room temperature and monitored every three months. Peanuts responded differently to irradiation, particularly with regards to tocopherol contents, primary and secondary oxidation products and oil stability index. Induction periods and tocopherol contents were negatively correlated with irradiation doses and decreased moderately during storage. α-Tocopherol was the most gamma radiation sensitive and peeled samples were the most affected. A positive correlation was found among tocopherol contents and the induction period of the oils extracted from irradiated samples. Gamma radiation and storage time increased oxidation compounds production. If gamma radiation is considered an alternative for industrial scale peanut conservation, in-shell samples are the best feedstock. For the best of our knowledge this is the first article with such results; this way it may be helpful as basis for future studies on gamma radiation of in-shell crops.