Determination of ortho-tyrosine in irradiated protein containing foods by HPLC

In order to control the processing and trading of irradiated foodstuffs several chemical and physical methods have been developed to identify irradiation induced changes. The three most promising methods are gas chromatorgraphic determination of radiation induced volatiles from the lipid content of foods, thermoluminescence measurements on minerals and e.s.r.-spectroscopic measurements on solids and food contents with a low water amount. There is a lack in detecting the irradiation in foods with a high protein content. It is based on the radiation induced hydroxylation of phenylalanine, forming small amounts of ortho- (and meta-) tyrosine. This method can be useful for foods with a low lipid content such as shrimps and pure egg-white. The results obtained on shrimps and egg-white are promising. All shrimp samples showed a good dose dependence which was similar to results reported by Chuaqui-Offermanns and McDougall obtained on frozen materials (chicken) irradiated at a slightly higher dose rate. There are not enough data about o-tyrosine-contents in different kinds of unirradiated shrimps. Therfore next step will be the analysis of a great number of various samples. With these information and by the use of an internal standard it should be possible to apply the HPLC method for routine analysis. As internal standards α-methyltyrosine or 4-hydroxyphenylglycine could be used. (orig./vhe)