[Electron spin resonance spectroscopy investigations of fresh fruit. Evidence of treatment with ionizing radiation].
This paper describes the development of a method for the identification of irradiated fresh fruits by measurement of the e.p.r. spectra of pips, kernels or stones. Measurement parameters were optimized and the irradiation specific spectrum was assigned to a cellulose radical by comparison with the e.p.r. spectrum of pure cellulose. Several fruits especially different varieties of strawberries were examined giving the following results: Detectable minimum doses were between 0.4 kGy and 0.9 kGy and the intensity of the irradiation specific signals was found to be linear up to doses of 11 kGy. The lifetime of the specific radicals (at room temperature and at deep freezing temperatures) was long enough compared to the storage time of fresh fruits. Additional information about the nature of the unspecific central signal was gained measuring the samples which were stored at different temperatures. The main conclusion of this study is that the e.p.r. method seemes to be well suited for the use in routine control and should be tested in an intercomparison to establish a routine method for the identification of irradiated fresh fruits.