Alterations of mitochondrial DNA: A method for the detection of irradiated beef liver

Abstract

The study of the radio degradation of DNA is one of a number of phenomena being investigated to develop methods for identifying irradiated foods. The specific behaviour under radiation of the mitochondrial DNA from beef liver gives the possibility of detecting if the product has been irradiated or not. An identification method could finally be developed. The appraisal of the mitochondrial supercoiled DNA fraction constitutes an unambiguous detection test for beef liver irradiation. A total of 120 different samples were irradiated at 5 different doses. The dose limit of detection is lower than 2 kGy. No effects due to storage conditions were observed.