Detection of irradiated food: DNA fragmentation in grapefruits

Employing the simple microgel electrophoresis of single cells - 'comet assay' on grapefruit seeds enabled a rapid identification of irradiated fruits. Fruits were exposed to radiation doses of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 kGy covering the range of potential commercial irradiation for insect disinfestation and quarantine purposes. Seeds were isolated, crushed, and the cells embedded in an agarose layer. After lysis of the cells, they were subjected to microgel electrophoresis for 2.5 minutes, and then stained. Fruits irradiated with 0.2 kGy and higher doses showed typical DNA fragmentation, the DNA fragments stretching or migrating out of the cells forming a tail towards the anode, giving the damaged cells an appearance of a comet. With increasing dose a longer extension of the DNA from the nucleus towards the anode is observed. Undamaged cells will appear as intact nuclei without tails. The DNA comet assay is thus a rapid and inexpensive screening technique to detect irradiated grapefruits. Suspected samples may subsequently be analysed by officially validated methods for detection of irradiated foods.