Detection of γ-irradiation traces for black pepper by chemiluminescence spectroscopy using a multichannel fourier-transform spectrometer

Thermal chemiluminescence spectra of powdered black pepper were measured with a multichannel Fourier-transform spectrometer without further pretreatment. Observed spectra of γ-ray irradiated samples were modeled with Gaussian-type curves by least-squares fitting and divided into two chemiluminescence bands with maxima at 728 and 637nm, which are due to thermal oxidation of lipids and due to γ-ray irradiation, respectively. The intensity of the 637nm band increased as the irradiation dose increased, and decreased when the irradiated samples were preheated under nitrogen atmosphere, in contrast to that for the 728nm band was constant. These findings lead to the conclusion that γ-irradiation traces are conventionally detectable by chemiluminescence spectroscopy. (author)