This work aimed to verify the possibility of identifying irradiated dried crickets using physical techniques based on stimulated luminescence, namely Photostimulated Luminescence (PSL) and Thermally Stimulated Luminescence or Thermoluminescence (TL). These techniques detect irradiation in minerals present in foods, mainly in silicates that have good luminescent properties. Insects living on the soil in open air are supposed to contain enough minerals for the analysis. However, in the case of farmed insects, such as those covered by this study, the conditions in which they are raised and the treatments to which they are subjected during production could modify their contamination and prevent the application of such methods. In this study, we investigated dried crickets (Acheta domesticus), supplied by an Italian farm, that are boiled and dried during production. Tests were performed on one non-irradiated sample and on samples irradiated at 1 and 3 kGy using the PSL and TL based methods EN 13751 and EN 1788, respectively. Both methods provided satisfactory results, which indicated that, despite treatments during production, sufficient quantities of minerals were still present on the insects for analysis.

In radiological emergency scenarios, the rapid distinction between individuals exposed below or above the 1 Gy triage threshold is essential for effective medical sorting and optimized resource allocation. This study proposes a binary classification framework at the 1 Gy threshold that combines Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) measurements of commercial magnesium-based dietary supplements with supervised machine learning (ML) algorithms, including Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machines, Decision Trees, Random Forest, and XGBoost. A dataset of 355 samples exposed to different radiation doses was analyzed, and model performance was evaluated using cross-validation and multiple statistical metrics. The resulting framework was implemented into a lightweight, browser-based application to provide real-time predictions and support decision-making in field operations. The findings demonstrate that integrating physical dosimetry with ML enables rapid and scalable classification relative to the 1Gy threshold and offers a practical tool to enhance public health response during radiological incidents.

Food irradiation is a clean, safe and non-thermal technology applied to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, i.e., Salmonella spp., in hen eggs. Currently, in Europe only the egg white can be irradiated up to 3 kGy, so different control methods are crucial for official inspections to identify illicit treatments. In this work, an analytical method was proposed to determine the radiolytic markers, namely 2–dodecylcyclobutanone (2–DCB) and 2–tetradecylcyclobutanone (2–TCB) in hen egg samples. This method is based on headspace solid phase micro-extraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS–SPME/GC–MS). The eggs were treated by an X-ray irradiator at dose levels of 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 kGy. The preliminary validation showed good selectivity, without matrix interferences in non-irradiated samples. Spiked samples showed linear responses in the range 2.5–25.0 µg kg−1, where 2.5 µg kg−1 was the limit of detection for both analytes. Irradiated samples showed a dose-dependent increase in signal intensity and a constant 2–DCB/2–TCB ratio. The minimum dose level detected was 0.5 kGy for all samples, and the 2–DCB and 2–TCB signals remained stable over one month after irradiation. Not least, white analytical chemistry was used to evaluate the HS–SPME/GC–MS method validation effectiveness, greenness power and economic efficiency, compared to the EN 1785:2003 standard method. The results of this study prove that the HS–SPME/GC–MS method is a reliable green alternative to the official method, which is suitable in food safety control programs.

Introduction. With the global population projected to reach approximately 9 billion by 2050, there's a growing need to explore alternative food sources. Insects have emerged as a potential solution to meet food demand, offering a substitute for conventional livestock. However, a primary safety concern surrounding these novel foods is their allergenic potential, especially given the absence of standardized testing methodologies. To mitigate this risk, food irradiation has been explored as a method to reduce allergenicity in insects intended for human and animal consumption. Material and methods. This study utilized an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay determine the allergenic proteins in specific insect types after irradiation treatment. Results and discussion. Significant differences in detectable protein levels were observed between Tenebrio molitor and Acheta domesticus samples, but no significant differences in protein content were found between food and feed samples of both species under identical irradiation conditions. Further research is required to ensure the protocol's suitability for more complex food matrices.

EDITORIAL article Front. Public Health, 05 January 2023Sec. Radiation and Health Volume 10 - 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1117269

Radiobiological studies conducted in Deep Underground Laboratories allow to improve the knowledge of the biological effects induced by ionizing radiation at low doses/dose rates. At the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics we can study the possible differences in behavior between parallel biological systems, one maintained in a Reference-Radiation Environment (RRE, external) and the other maintained in an extremely Low-Radiation Environment (LRE, underground), in the absence of pressure changes, the RRE and LRE laboratories being at the same altitude. For these investigations, it is mandatory to evaluate the dose rate values at RRE and LRE. The aim of our work is to provide a comprehensive dosimetric analysis for external and underground laboratories. Measurements of the different low Linear Energy Transfer (LET) components at RRE and LRE were performed using different detectors. Gamma dose rates were 31 nSv/h at RRE and 27 nSv/h at LRE respectively. The muon dose rate was 47 nSv/h at RRE and negligible at LRE (less than pGy/h). Dosimetric measurements were also carried out to characterize the devices used to modulate the gamma dose rate, namely, a gamma source irradiator (to increase the dose rate by about 90 nSv/h) and shields (of iron at LRE and lead at RRE). Using the iron shield at LRE a dose reduction factor of about 20, compared to the RRE, was obtained for the low LET components; inside the lead shield at RRE the gamma component was negligible compared to the muonic component. Radon activity concentrations were approximately of 20 Bq/m 3 at both LRE and RRE. The intrinsic contribution of radioactivity in the experimental set up was of 0.25 nGy/h, as evaluated with a GEANT4-simulation, using as input the measured activity concentrations. GEANT4 simulations were also performed to calculate the neutron dose rate at RRE, yielding a value of 1.4 nGy/h, much larger than that at LRE (which is less than pGy/h). In conclusion, RRE and LRE are currently characterized and equipped to perform radiobiological studies aimed at understanding the involvement of the different low LET components in determining the response of biological systems.

This work reports the results of a study carried out to verify the applicability of the CEN EN 13751 method, based on the photo-stimulated luminescence (PSL) technique, for the identification of irradiated fruit. A total of 15 types of fresh and dried fruit not irradiated and irradiated (0.5 and 1 kGy) were tested. Preliminary tests were performed on samples of fresh kiwis, lemons, mangoes, oranges, papayas, pineapples and tangerines, dried dates, dried prunes and raisins. Successively, an inter-comparative test was organized, whereby four Italian official control laboratories analyzed eight matrices, namely, kiwi, orange, dried fig, raisin, hazelnut, peanut, pistachio and walnut. The results indicated considerable differences in the radiation PSL sensitivities of the different types of fruit as well as among the PSL responses obtained from different batches of the same fruit. The best results were obtained with some types of dried fruit, namely, pistachios, peanuts, dried figs and raisins. Irradiated fresh fruit generally gave non-positive results, mainly intermediate and even very close to the negative threshold. Tests performed on kiwi, mango and orange samples indicated that the parts of the fruit peel close to the stem, which are more wrinkled, provide better results.

TL and OSL signals of nano-(Ba0.88Sr0.12SO4)99.8%:Eu0.2% (B88n) irradiated at doses ranging from 0.07 to 2 Gy with different beam qualities are investigated. Both TL and OSL signals show a linear response relationship, though with large variation between the slopes, due to the non water-equivalence of the Ba compounds. The measured factors for energy dependence turn to be in accordance, within uncertainties, with the calculated ones for all beam qualities, except for the 15 MV beam. For this beam, an accelerator different from the one used in this study was used to extract the data obtained for the energy spectrum. Detection limits for B88n/TL system range from a minimum value of 48 mGy (137Cs) to a maximum value of 180 mGy (16 MeV electrons), while for B88n/OSL system, a minimum value of 122 mGy (6 MV photons) to a maximum value of 153 mGy (137Cs). Nevertheless, these OSL limits can be lowered using lower doses and increasing the data points. These values make this dosimeter a suitable candidate for dosimetry applications in radiation therapy using both TL and OSL techniques.

„NOVEL BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL METHODS FOR TRIAGE IN RADIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR (R/N) EMERGENCIES” Project No. G5684 In the case of a mass-casualty radiological or nuclear (R/N) event, the grouping of individuals into those requiring medical care (> 1 Gy) and those who were not affected during the accident is urgent. Often, the people involved do not own a professional dosimeter and therefore the dose assessment relies on fortuitous dosimeters.

When a radiological and nuclear (R/N) emergency occurs, the categorization of individuals into those who are unaffected and those requiring medical intervention is a high priority. At times, a professional dosimeter is not available and therefore some common belongings may be used as fortuitous dosimeters. The preparation of these objects for the measurement should be such as to give the most accurate and precise results. This paper focused on the Photo-Stimulated Luminescence (PSL) response of salty crackers confronts the problem of sample preparation (mass, grain size), dose response and signal stability. The dose response was determined for doses up to 5 Gy, which allowed the calculation of the limit of detection. Additionally, the signal stability was investigated for samples irradiated with 0.3 and 3 Gy. The observed decrease of the signal does not prevent the detection in the dose range typical for R/N emergency. The main dosimetric characteristics were investigated by using two different models of PSL readers equipped with single (infrared) or double (infrared, blue light) stimulation. The results indicated that the limit of detection can be improved by applying blue light stimulation. Moreover, strong correlation of the measurements performed in the two different instruments, as well as the rapidity of the analysis and the simplicity of the operations, suggest that this method can be suitable for a rapid radiation triage of a large number of civilians in a mass casualty event. The study was simultaneously conducted by two laboratories (Ruder Bošković Institute, RBI, Croatia and Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS, Italy) involved in the BioPhyMeTRE project (grant No. G5684) supported by NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme.

Scientific community and institutions (e. g., ICRP) consider that the Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model, which extrapolates stochastic risk at low dose/low dose rate from the risk at moderate/high doses, provides a prudent basis for practical purposes of radiological protection. However, biological low dose/dose rate responses that challenge the LNT model have been highlighted and important dowels came from radiobiology studies conducted in Deep Underground Laboratories (DULs). These extreme ultra-low radiation environments are ideal locations to conduct below-background radiobiology experiments, interesting from basic and applied science. The INFN Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) (Italy) is the site where most of the underground radiobiological data has been collected so far and where the first in vivo underground experiment was carried out using Drosophila melanogaster as model organism. Presently, many DULs around the world have implemented dedicated programs, meetings and proposals. The general message coming from studies conducted in DULs using protozoan, bacteria, mammalian cells and organisms (flies, worms, fishes) is that environmental radiation may trigger biological mechanisms that can increase the capability to cope against stress. However, several issues are still open, among them: the role of the quality of the radiation spectrum in modulating the biological response, the dependence on the biological endpoint and on the model system considered, the overall effect at organism level (detrimental or beneficial). At LNGS, we recently launched the RENOIR experiment aimed at improving knowledge on the environmental radiation spectrum and to investigate the specific role of the gamma component on the biological response of Drosophila melanogaster.

This study aimed to verify the applicability of the EN 1787 method for the detection of irradiation in herbal ingredients used in Plant Food Supplements (PFSs). In matrices such as herbs and spices the main limit of the method is the presence of intrinsic radicals responsible for spurious signals leading to complex ESR spectra. To overcome this limit, before ESR measurement a treatment with alcohol has been proposed (Delincee and Soika, 2002; Ahn et al., 2012, 2014). As reported in the literature, this treatment is expected to reduce/eliminate the confounding signals so that the samples may be correctly classified. In this study the efficacy of the pre-treatment was tested on raw herbal ingredients largely used for PFSs, namely Camellia sinensis, Cinnamomum verum, Curcuma longa, Ginkgo biloba, Silybum marianum, Vaccinium myrtillus and Zingiber officinale. Non-irradiated and irradiated (5, 10 kGy) samples were analysed before and after pre-treatment. The results showed a general decrement of signal intensity. In some cases, this was associated with the elimination of some spurious signals, which, however, did not always ensue in an easier interpretation of the ESR spectra. Only for two matrices (Camellia sinensis and Vaccinium myrtillus) was alcoholic extraction crucial for the correct classification of the samples.

This paper reports the results of a study carried out to verify the applicability of the EN 1787 method, which uses the Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) technique for the identification of irradiated plant-origin foods with health benefits. The method was tested on samples of herbal ingredients of Plant Food Supplements (PFSs), nuts and fresh blueberries. Untreated and irradiated samples of Camellia sinensis (leaves) Ginkgo biloba (leaves), Glycine max (seeds), Silybum marianum (fruits), Vaccinium myrtillus (fruits), almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios, walnuts and fresh blueberries were analysed. The work includes an inter-laboratory blind test involving five Italian laboratories that perform routine analyses for the official control of irradiated food. A total of 180 untreated and irradiated samples of PFS ingredients, nuts and fresh blueberries were analysed. The analyses on the irradiated samples were replicated even a long time after irradiation (up to two years depending on the matrix) to test the reliability of the method throughout the shelf life of the products. The results were matrix-dependent: all the 5 kGy irradiated nuts and the 1 kGy-irradiated blueberries were correctly classified, whereas herbal ingredients showed complex ESR spectra with spurious signals which often prevented the correct classification of the sample.

In case of Radiological and Nuclear (R/N) emergencies, the early knowledge on the individual radiation absorbed dose is of paramount importance for sorting out unaffected subjects from those requiring medical intervention. Retrospective dosimetry by using biological and physical methods aims to prioritize the selection of over-exposed individuals for a rapid triage-dose assessment. In this context, the BioPhyMeTRE project focuses on the validation of innovative biological and physical methods allowing a rapid screening/triage of potential victims, by using inexpensive and user-friendly analytical procedures and devices. The biological method combines the two most standardized biodosimetry methods into a single one and the physical technique concerns the use of a low-cost, portable mini photo-luminescence reader for the individual dose assessment by using personal objects that civilians wear or carry every day. Next to the experimental work, the project includes training for the transfer of knowledge and skills among the partners, inter-laboratory exercises for the validation of the analytical procedures and disseminations of the results. The preliminary results of these activities are here reported.

BACKGROUNDThe Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS) considers health inequalities (HI) an important area of activity. As the scientific and technical body of the Ministry of Health and the National Health Service, ISS may play a key role to reduce HI. In order to enable ISS in addressing the new and crucial HI challenge, a Research Positioning Exercise was designed and implemented.METHODSThe Exercise included: (i) workshop to strengthen the institutional interest in the field of HI; (ii) review and analysis of ISS publications (years 2000-2017) to identify HI research topics; (iii) survey among ISS researchers regarding main research challenges to address HI in the coming years; and (iv) analysis of input on research challenges from HI international experts.RESULTSThe results of this Exercise suggest that the following points should be included in the future ISS agenda planning: (i) themes which ISS should continue working on (e.g. migrants/vulnerable groups); (ii) themes to be improved: (a) relationship between social determinants and mechanism of HI generation and (b) relationship between risk factors exposure and social determinants; and (iii) new themes to be addressed: (a) mechanisms underlying the resilience observed in Italy; (b) new socioeconomic indicators for HI monitoring; and (c) evidence-based policies aimed at reducing HI.CONCLUSIONFindings of this Exercise show that ISS researchers identified relevant areas, addressing inequalities in addressing the health. Because of ISS structural peculiarity that includes multidisciplinary expertise, the ISS could provide a significant contribution to HI research challenges and knowledge gaps.

The treatment with high doses of ionizing radiation is prescribed for the terminal sterilization of many healthcare products. In order to check the product irradiation, it may be useful to develop suitable detection methods. The aim of this work was to verify the suitability of the thermoluminescence (TL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques to reveal illegal omission of radiation sterilization in glass used for blood test tubes. In particular, this work reports the results of the analysis performed on two batches of glass tubes provided by the same manufacturer. The results indicated that both TL and EPR techniques could reveal the damage induced by high doses of ionizing radiation in the glass allowing the identification of the tubes which were irradiated at the manufacture stage. The study provided also some information about the chemical composition of the two-batch glass.