1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

Benefits and risks of y-irradiation for Curcuma longa products

AuthorSiravit Charoenying
Call NumberAIT Thesis no.EV-03-19
Subject(s)Gamma rays
Irradiation
Turmeric
NoteA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Inter-University Program on Environmental Toxicology, Technology and Management.
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
Series StatementThesis ; no. EV-03-19
AbstractIonizing irradiation is an alternative process for microbial decontamination for spices and herbs including Curcuma longa products. Gamma irradiation at the doses of I 0 and 25 kGy is usually practiced for herbs and pharmaceuticals, respectively. However, irradiation technique is suspected to alter the composition of some of the C. longa products. This study attempts to examine the formation of any new compounds after the gammairradiation process and also to optimize the irradiation of C. longa products at lower dose in order -to prevent any possible formation of new compounds which may cause the toxic effects. Five various sources of C. longa products (non-irradiated), including two samples from "one tambon-one product (OTOP)" project, were irradiated with Cobalt-60 gamma ray at the doses of 2.5, 5, I 0 and 25 kGy. Four different batches of commercial irradiated products (capsule) from one company were analyzed. Determination of heavy metals contaminated in C. longa products i.e. cadmium, arsenic, mercury, lead and iron were also performed. The pattern of Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) with phosphomolybdic spraying showed no considerable changes of TLC patterns between non-irradiated (non-treatment) and irradiated (treatment) samples and without any new band. However, TLC pattern of the four commercial irradiated capsules showed that there was at least one TLC band different from other samples. This may be due to other excipients or diluents added in the capsule during manufacturing process. Irradiation at the dose of I 0 and 25 kGy completely eliminated the microorganisms and the dose of 5 kGy reduced the total viable number of bacteria and fungi down to limited values, whereas 2.5 kGy was less effective. According to these results, it is indicated that gamma-irradiation at the dose range of 5-10 kGy depending on bioberden is sufficient to decontaminate the microorganisms in C. longa products without any changes on the active compounds. High levels of iron (Fe) and cadmium (Cd) were also found in some C. longa products. Further study should be conducted to evaluate the toxicity of crude or extract of irradiated C. longa products.
Year2003
Corresponding Series Added EntryAsian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. EV-03-19
TypeThesis
SchoolSchool of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD)
DepartmentDepartment of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC))
Academic Program/FoSEnvironmental Engineering and Management (EV)
Chairperson(s)Jutamaad Satayavivad
Examination Committee(s)Preeda Parkpian ;Paiboon Vattanaviboon ;Nuchanart Rangkadilok
Scholarship Donor(s)Her Majesty the Queen


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