Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Free Radicals and the Antioxidant Properties of Walnuts
The present work represented results from a comprehensive study of free radicals and the antioxidant properties of irradiated walnuts. The effects of gamma irradiation on free radical generation and their stability, as well as on the antioxidant activity in walnuts, were investigated by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), and Hydroxyl Radical Antioxidant Capacity (HORAC) assays. Walnut samples were irradiated using 60Co at two different doses: 10 and 25 kGy. As a marker for the identification of high-energy radiation treatment, characteristic cellulose radical signals were detected after irradiation and remained observable for over eight months. A significant increase in antioxidant activity was observed at higher irradiation doses, as measured by DPPH free radical scavenging activity, ORAC and HORAC assays.
Authors
- Ralitsa B. Mladenova (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9464-6026)
- Petko Denev (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2290-791X)
- Katerina I. Aleksieva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0525-9674)
- Yordanka Karakirova (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1891-8306)
- Sabina Taneva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1076-2190)
Institutions
- Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BG)
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry (BG)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Chemistry
- Published
- 2025-04-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry7020052
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Radiation Effects and Dosimetry
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.16