title: Evaluation of irradiation in foods using DNA Comet assay.
abstract: Comet assay is a rapid, inexpensive and sensitive biological technique to detect DNA damage in food stuffs by irradiation. In this study the Comet assay is applied on foods of plant and animal origins. Samples were irradiated by using Co-60 gamma-radiation source. The applied doses were 2, 6 and 10 kGy for food of plant origin and 0.5, 1 and 2 kGy for meat items. The un-irradiated and irradiated samples were clearly differentiated on the basis of DNA fragmentation. During the electrophoresis study, it was found that in un-irradiated cells DNA remained intact and appeared as Comets without tail whereas in irradiated cells Comets with tails were visible due to stretching of fragmented DNA. Moreover, it was also revealed that the DNA tail length was dose dependent. Dry food stuffs (seeds) showed good results as compared to moist foods (meat, fruits and vegetables) due to the absence of background damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Affaf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khawar
authors.forename: Ijaz Ahmad
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Bhatti
authors.forename: Q M
authors.initials: QM
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Asi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ali
keywords: Absorbed dose; Comet assay; DNA fragmentation; Electrophoresis; Irradiation