Radiation processing of food with its unique advantages is one of the important approaches to mitigate the postharvest food losses. It is also increasingly gaining market access for agricultural and horticultural produce to meet sanitary and phytosanitary requirements of international trade. Accurate absorbed dose measurements are essential in all irradiation facilities to ensure the desired objectives. No cost-effective single dosimeter is available in the dose range of 25 to 1000 Gy in India. In view of this dye-based reliable, user-friendly and cost-effective dosimeter in the low dose range (25 to 1000 Gy) has been developed to meet the commercial requirement for food irradiation dosimetry

1. Dosimeters covers absorbed dose in the range of 25 – 1000 Gy
2. Dosimeters are stable for 10 months
3. Post irradiation stability of 4 days
4. Insignificant effect of irradiation temperature, dose rates and gamma energy
5. Can be stored in normal laboratory condition in dark

Dosimeter can be used in commercial scale to measure food irradiation dose in the range of 25 – 1000 Gy for various applications such as sprout inhibition, insect disinfestations and quarantine treatments.

Radiation processing of food with its unique advantages is one of the important approaches to mitigate the postharvest food losses. Food irradiation is an effective technique for value addition to food and agricultural commodities. This value addition includes prevention of losses caused by sprouting of bulbs and tubers, insect infestation of grains and pulses and their products during storage, ripening and senescence of fruits and vegetables. The technology is also used to pasteurize and even sterilize food and allied products for enhancing their shelf life and microbiological safety. It is also increasingly gaining market access for agricultural and horticultural produce to meet sanitary and phytosanitary requirements of international trade. Currently there are 26 numbers of Co-60 based food irradiation facilities are operational in India. Accurate absorbed dose determination in the food product is essential in all irradiation facilities to ensure the efficacy of irradiation. Dosimeters like Fricke, ceric-cerous sulphate, optichromic are in use to measure absorbed doses within their respective operational range. No cost-effective single dosimeter is available in the dose range of 25 to 1000 Gy in India. In view of this dye-based reliable, user-friendly and cost-effective dosimeter in the low dose range (25 to 1000 Gy) has been developed to meet the commercial requirement for food irradiation dosimetry.

1. Dosimeters covers absorbed dose in the range of 25 – 1000 Gy
2. Only single distilled water is required for preparation
3. Dosimeters are stable for 10 months
4. Post irradiation stability of 4 days
5. Insignificant effect of irradiation temperature
6. Insignificant dose rate effect
7. Insignificant gamma energy effect
8. Insignificant inter and intra batch variation
9. Can be stored in normal laboratory condition in dark

Raw Materials required

1. Congo Red dye
2. Single distilled water

Dye is available in the local market. Distilled water can be prepared in the laboratory

EQUIPMENTS

1. Spectrophotometer
2. Analytical Balance capable of weighing 0.1 mg
3. Glass wares (Reagent bottles, funnel, beaker and glass rod)
4. Gamma Chamber for calibration
5. Glass ampoule sealing machine (Flame sealing)

SPACE

1. Dust-free room with temperature ~ 25 ° C
2. A working table (150 cm x 70 cm x 90 cm)
3. Stainless steel sink with running water supply
4. Table to accommodate spectrophotometer and analytical balance

POWER

1. Three phase power connection.

MANPOWER

1. 1 skilled worker is adequate.