No abstract

We investigated the usefulness of hydrocarbons and 2-alkylcyclobutanones as markers for irradiated, dried shrimps. A method was developed to detect the irradiation of dried shrimps (Penaeus aztecus) by identifying radiation-induced hydrocarbons and 2-alkylcyclobutanones extracted from dried shrimps, which were separated by Florisil column chromatography and identified by a method using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Radiation-induced hydrocarbons and 2-alkylcyclobutanones are formed from the fatty acids of the irradiated fats. The quantity of the hydrocarbons and 2-alkylcyclobutanones formed from some fatty acids is related to the composition of fatty acids in a sample. The concentrations of hydrocarbons and 2-alkylcyclobutanones increased with radiation dose. The major hydrocarbons in the irradiated, dried shrimps were 1-tetradecene and pentadecane from palmitic acid; small amounts of heptadecane and 1-hexadecene from stearic acid; and 8-heptadecene and 1,7-hexadecadiene from oleic acid. 2-(5'-Tetradecenyl)cyclobutanone, one of the 2-alkylcyclobutanones, was present at the highest concentration. The radiation-induced hydrocarbons and 2-alkylcyclobutanones were detected at radiation doses of 0.5 kGy and greater. These compounds were not detected in nonirradiated, dried shrimps.

The lipid portion of dried squids (Todarodes pacificus) was extracted, and its hydrocarbons and 2-alkylcyclobutanones were separated using a florisil column. Both compounds were identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and used to investigate the production of radiation-induced hydrocarbons and 2-alkylcyclobutanones. Concentrations of the hydrocarbons and 2-alkylcyclobutanones increased linearly with the radiation dosage. The major hydrocarbons in the irradiated dried squids were pentadecane and 1-tetradecene, which originated from palmitic acid. The amount of pentadecane was the highest among the radiation-induced hydrocarbons in the dried squids. The major 2-alkylcyclobutanone in the irradiated dried squids was 2-dodecylcyclobutanone, which was formed from the large amount of palmitic acid. 2-Tetradecylcyclobutanone, which may be produced from stearic acid in sample lipids, was also detected. Radiation-induced hydrocarbons and 2-alkylcyclobutanones were detected at > or = 0.5 kGy. These compounds were not detected in dried squids that were not irradiated. Radiation-induced hydrocarbons can be used as a detection marker for irradiated dried squids; however, the amount of 2-alkylcyclobutanones produced was not enough to be used as a marker. Radiolytic products of lipids, such as hydrocarbons or 2-alkylcyclobutanones. can be used to monitor food safety for consumers, ensuring proper irradiation labeling in foods and quarantine treatment in international trade.