Chemical and physical change of packing materials for food induced by γ-ray irradiation

28 kinds of antioxidants and UV-absorbents of synthetic resin with a kind of addition agent were stable by 30 kGy of irradiation. When polyethylene sheet incorporated with them were irradiated, amounts of many kinds of antioxidants largely decreased. They might be decomposed by reacting with radicals and peroxides in polymer produced by irradiation. Accordingly, they acted effectively to reduce deterioration of polymer. But UV-absorbent was not changed by irradiation. The addition agents of polyethylene sheet were not eluted by pseudo-food aqueous solvent independent on irradiation. However, on pseudo-fatty food solvent, amount of eluate decreased. So that, eluate of antioxidant and UV-absorbent in polyethylene was decreased by γ-ray irradiation which produced good effects on food hygiene. (S.Y.)