Thermoluminescence detection of irradiated fruits and vegetables: International interlaboratory trial

Abstract

An international interlaboratory trial was conducted to validate thermoluminescence methods for detecting irradiated fruits and vegetables. Five products were used in this study. This paper presents the results from prestudy material, homogeneity testing, details of sample preparation, and participants' results. Prestudy results provided a basis for cross comparison of instruments in different laboratories. A wide range of sensitivities, reproducibilities, and signal-to-background ratios were observed. Homogeneity testing showed that the method can distinguish between nonirradiated and irradiated products, including those bleached with 100 J/cm2 artificial daylight, provided that sensitivity rejection criteria are rigorously applied. Blind results were returned by 9 participants in the form of first and second glow integrals and glow ratios for all samples and a qualitative classification for each product. Of the 387 results reported, 327 valid results were obtained from participants. Where valid data were obtained, correct qualitative identifications were made by participants in all cases. Participants' results and homogeneity testing both confirm the validity of the thermoluminescence method for detecting irradiated fruits and vegetables.