THERMOLUMINESCENCE ANALYSIS FOR TESTING THE IRRADIATION OF SPICES

Thermoluminescence signals of irradiated and unirradiated spices and h erbs are due to inorganic matter grains adhering to the surfaces. ?his study reports the mineral composition of this dust being, mainly quar tz, calcite and philosilicates; it shows the differences between sampl es exposed and non-exposed to gamma-radiation on the basis of TL signa ls after long storage periods (1-16 months), A saturation process in t he TL signal is found when the samples absorb doses higher than 5 kGy, Finally, the Tt glow curve intensities do not suffer significant chan ges with the dose rate of the gamma-source used in the radiation proce ss.