title: [Characterization of the minimal lethal dose of gamma irradiation for Penicillium citrinum].
abstract: The use of nuclear power through radiation for the destruction of microorganisms which cause food decay, and toxicosis, is specifically for peaceful purposes. Penicillium citrinum is a fungus which produce mycotoxins responsible for intoxication in humans and animals as a result of eating contaminated food. There is little informations on the resistance of P. citrinum to radiation. The objective of this research is to determine the lethal dose of gama radiation for these microorganisms. Seventy six suspensions containing approximately 100,000 spores/ml received a dose of radiation between 0.2 and 2.2 KGy (KiloGray), being one sample still alive re-irradiated with doses up to 3.0 KGy. The fungus were totally destroyed with a 2.2 KGy. Seventy six suspensions containing approximately 100,000 spores/ml received a dose of radiation between 0.2 and 2.2 KGy, being one sample still alive re-irradiated with doses up to 3.0 KGy. The fungus were totally destroyed with a 2.2 KGy dose. An increase in the resistance to lower dose levels of radiation was observed, in relation to the fungus which had not received irradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the Minimum Lethal Dose (MLD) of gamma irradiation, for P. citrinum is 2.2 KGy; the re-irradiation of the surviving fungus demonstrate that occur appearance of radio-resistant mutants.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia do Exército, Rua Francisco Manuel, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Norberg
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Serra-Freire
mesh_terms: D005514:Food Irradiation; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005720:Gamma Rays; D010407:Penicillium / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011829:Radiation Dosage
vernacular_title: Caracterização da dose letal mínima por irradiação gama para Penicillium citrinum.