A genipin-gelatin gel dosimeter for radiation processing

Genipin, a fruit extract from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, forms cross-links in solutions of gelatin, to form a blue hydrogel that bleaches quantitatively upon irradiation and the colour change can be measured with a spectrophotometer. With the addition of sulphuric acid this dosimeter is sufficiently sensitive for quality assurance of radiotherapy level dosimetry. Without sulphuric acid the gel has a reduced sensitivity and responds linearly with dose between 100 and 1000 Gy, making it potentially useful as a dosimeter for radiation processing applications such as the phytosanitary irradiation treatment of food. We investigated the dose response characteristics of this new formulation and found that the darker gels are more sensitive to dose and have a reduced uncertainty. - Highlights: ► Genipin is a cross-linker of gelatin, causing a change from colourless to blue. ► Gel bleaches upon irradiation and the colour change can be measured. ► Gel responds linearly with dose between 100 and 1000 Gy. ► Darker gels are more sensitive to dose and have a reduced uncertainty.