The effect of carnosine on irradiation inactivation kinetics of Aeromo
nas hydrophila was studied, In phosphate buffer, carnosine had no effe
ct on survival of the pathogen, whereas in turkey meat supplemented wi
th carnosine the adverse effect of irradiation on A. hydrophila was re
duced. Peroxy radicals were toxic to A. hydrophila, and this effect wa
s counteracted by carnosine. Accordingly, in a kinetic test carnosine
was capable of scavenging peroxy radicals. These results indicate that
a free radical scavenger antioxidant such as carnosine can increase t
he radiation resistance of A. hydrophila in meat due to the inhibition
of lipid peroxidation caused by radiolysis.