Genotoxicity Safety Evaluation on Gamma-Irradiated Milk and Icecream

Gamma irradiation can be applied to the dairy products for eradicating microbial contamination and making hypo-allergenic foods. However irradiation technology has not been put practical use because of prejudice against safety of gamma-irradiation. To evaluate the safety of gamma-irradiated dairy product, genotoxicological test was performed. In vitro mutagenicity of gamma-irradiated milk and ice cream (5, 10 kGy) was evaluated by chromosome aberration test in the presence or absence of metabolizing activation (S-9 mix). And in vivo safety test was carried out by the micronucleus test in ICR mice. The gamma-irradiated milk and icecream did not increase chromosome aberration rate at any irradiation doses or concentration. In micronucleus test, gamma-irradiated milk and icecream did not induce any significant increase statistically in micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) at any irradiation doses. These results of this study indicate that irradiation on milk and icecream may not induce genotoxicity and can be an additional safety tool for manufacturing dairy products.