Investigation of Possible Antithiamin Properties in Irradiation Sterilized Beef

Male and female rats (156 each) were made thiamin-deficient by feeding a semipurified diet devoid of thiamin. They were then repleted with various beef-containing test diets: frozen beef, thermally processed beef, electron or gamma-irradiated beef. All repletion diets contained carefully controlled levels of thiamin. Recovery rates were monitored by growth (weight gain) and measurements of a thiamin-dependent blood enzyme (erythrocyte transketolase). The responses of rats fed irradiated beef were similar to those fed frozen or thermally processed beef. No evidence was found of antithiamin substances in either gamma or electron irradiation sterilized beef. (Author)