The use of 2-substituted cyclobutanones in the development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of irradiated foods

When lipid-containing foods are irradiated a series of cyclic compounds, 2-substituted cyclobutanones, are formed from the corresponding fatty acids. Upon irradiation the four major fatty acids present in most foods, namely palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acid are converted into 2-dodecyl-, 2-tetradecyl-, 2-tetradecenyl- and 2-tetradecadienylcyclobutanone, respectively. The use of 2-substituted cyclobutanones as a detection method for lipid-containing irradiated foods has previously been reported. The original method was based upon gas chromatography/masas spectroscopy (GC/MS) identification and quantification of 2-dodecyl- and 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone markers. This method requires the use of relatively sophisticated analytical equipment and takes several hours to complete. The aim of the present work is to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of a range of 2-substituted cyclobutanones. This should provide a rapid, simple and sensitive screening method for the detection of these radiolytic products in both high and low lipid-containing foods. In addition, it should offer the potential for on site testing of irradiated foods, which is presently impossible using the existing detection methods. (author)