Radiolyo-chemiluminescence of bones and seafood shells - a new, promising method for the detection of food irradiation?

Biomineral substances are dissolved in an alkaline mixture of luminol solution and EDTA. Light emission is observed upon dissolution of irradiated calcium carbonate in mollusk and crustacean shells and calcium hydroxyapatite in bones, showing a significantly increased chemiluminescence compared to unirradiated samples. This enables the determination of exposure to ionizing radiation and in some cases even dosimetry. The method described is simple in sample preparation and fast for the detection of irradiated seafood and poultry.