THE INFLUENCE OF IRRADIATED FOODS ON THE ENZYME SYSTEMS CONCERNED WITH DIGESTION

Abstract

The specific aim of the work herein reported was to evaluate the influence of irradiation of foods on their susceptability to digestion and for their influence on the specific enzyme systems concerned in alimentary digestive processes. Since digestion is the first step in the nutritional processing of ingested foods, it was considered that appraisal of the effects (or lack thereof) of irradiation on digestion would allow a statement to be made of the wholesomeness of irradiated foods relative to this physiological parameter. It is the opinion (as derived from the experiments) of the investigator that the digestibility of irradiated foods, at levelsholesomeness imposed (or not) by irradiation. Although statistically significant variations in digestibility due to irradiation of macronutrients can be demonstrated, it is doubtful whether the gain or loss of digested nutrients would be of biological significance. This statement does not infringe on the possibilitof irradiation commensurate with the needs for preservation, will not contribute significantly to the wholesomeness of those foods in the absence of other factors of biological wholesomeness imposed (or not) by irradiation. Although statistically significant variations in digestibility due to irradiation of macronutrients can be demonstrated, it is doubtful whether the gain or loss of digested nutrients would be of biological significance. This statement does not infringe on the possibility that the long-term feeding of irradiated foods might (or not) injure the digestive apparatus to the extent of effecting the wholesomeness of irradiated foods as measured by parameters other then digestibility. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 30, 1961
Accession Number
AD0262978

Entities

People

  • R.o. Moore

Organizations

  • Ohio State University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Food
  • Irradiated Food

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Systems Analysis and Design