Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site amdcad.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!amdcad!phil
From: phil@amdcad.UUCP (Phil Ngai)
Newsgroups: net.med,net.physics,net.cooks
Subject: sterilizing food with radiation
Message-ID: <6202@amdcad.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 13-Nov-85 02:20:55 EST
Article-I.D.: amdcad.6202
Posted: Wed Nov 13 02:20:55 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 14-Nov-85 00:48:37 EST
Organization: AMDCAD, Sunnyvale, CA
Lines: 21
Xref: watmath net.med:2741 net.physics:3551 net.cooks:5396

I understand that preliminary tests are being done on the use of
radiation to sterilize food. The food is exposed to a source of
radiation which breaks up complex molecules such as proteins and
nucleic acids, killing germs and other living agents which cause food
to spoil. Afterwards, the food is not radioactive and is supposed to
be edible. My question is, are the results of breaking large molecules
at random places likely to be completely innocuous?  I guess the final
answer will come from testing, but there's a fundamental difference
between testing this form of food preservation and testing substances
like Nutrasweet. You can provide large (100X) doses of Nutrasweet to
accelerate the test. 100X doses of food are not likely to provide the
desired results.

Anyway, would those more familiar with the subject care to comment?
-- 
 The California Lottery may be a tax on the stupid, but at least
 some of the proceeds are used for education.

 Phil Ngai +1 408 749-5720
 UUCP: {ucbvax,decwrl,ihnp4,allegra}!amdcad!phil
 ARPA: amdcad!phil@decwrl.dec.com