2-Alkylcyclobutanones as markers for the detection of irradiated mango, papaya, Camembert cheese and salmon meat

Experimental work was carried out in order to determine the usefulness of the 2‐alkylcyclobutanones as markers for irradiated Camembert cheese, salmon meat, mango and papaya. Both 2‐dodecylcyclobutanone (2‐DCB) and 2‐tetradecylcyclobutanone (2‐TCB) were readily detected in Camembert cheese even after storage for 26 days at 10 °C. A linear relationship was observed between irradiation dose (0.5–5 kGy) and the amount of cyclobutanone produced in the cheese. 2‐DCB and 2‐TCB were both identified in salmon meat irradiated in either the chilled (4 °C) or frozen state (−40 °C), although it was noted that less 2‐DCB was measured in the frozen samples. A linear response to increasing irradiation dose was demonstrated for salmon over the experimental range of 1–10 kGy. 2‐TCB was identified as the main marker for irradiated mango and could be detected in samples following storage for 14 days at 10 °C at doses as low as 0.1 kGy. As for the other products investigated, the concentration of this cyclobutanone increased linearly with increasing dose (0.1–2 kGy). With regard to papaya, 2‐DCB was identified as the principal irradiation marker. However, the concentration of this cyclobutanone decreased significantly with time, so that by day 21 of storage at 10 °C it could only be detected at the 2 kGy dose level. 2‐Tetradecenylcyclobutanone (2‐TDCB) was also detected in irradiated mango and papaya. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry