Low pH of Irradiated Sucrose in Induction of Chromosome Aberrations

SEVERAL reports have dealt with the deleterious effects on biological objects of irradiated sugars, or foods containing them. Some people have even implied possible harmful consequences as a result of consuming these irradiated products. Because current research programmes involve the use of radiation as an agent for preserving food, some of the reports should be further investigated to establish clearly the incidence, nature and conditions in which deleterious effects are induced. We are therefore studying damage to chromosomes in the root tip of Vicia faba caused by treatment with irradiated sucrose solutions, one of the subjects included in a report by Holsten, Sugii and Steward 1 .