A RAPID METHOD (SFE-TLC) FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF IRRADIATED CHICKEN

Cyclobutanones have successfully been used as chemical markers to iden tify irradiated food. However, existing methods for the isolation of c yclobutanones from the sample matrix often involve a long extraction ( 6 h) followed by a tedious clean-up regime (overall analysis time 72 h ). Two alternative methods of isolation were investigated with a view to reducing the extraction and overall analysis time. Both methods (So xtec and super critical fluid extraction (SFE)) were found to be rapid (45 min and 20 min respectively) and compared favourably to the exist ing method. Using the faster of the alternative methods of extraction (SFE), a simple and rapid (2 h) screening method for the detection of irradiation in food is reported. Copyright (C) 1996 Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd