Decontamination of pancreatin powder by gamma irradiation

Dehydrated pancreatin, packed in polyethylene bags, was gamma irradiated with doses of 5, 10, 15 and 20 kGy. Control and irradiated samples were stored at 19 ± 4 C and 70 ± 10% RH during 14 months. Microbiological and chemical tests were performed. Samples irradiated with 5 kGy showed two log cycles reduction of sporulated and aerobic mesophilic bacteria, and one log cycle reduction of moulds and yeasts, which fulfilled the microbiological requirements. This situation was maintained throughout the storage period. The irradiation did not significantly affect water content, fat, and total volatile basic nitrogen. Protease and amylase activities decreased with storage time and radiation dose. However, irradiation with 5 and 10 kGy caused no significant alteration on either of these activities as compared with control samples.