Radiation sterilization

Kume, Tamikazu

The status of radiation sterilization was reviewed in the special feature on "Development of Radiation Application in Industry". Due to the strong penetration power and sterilization ability, the radiation is commercially used for sterilization of medical products, laboratory animal feeds, food packaging materials, etc. For the sterilization of medical products, autoclave, EOG (ethylene oxide) and radiation are mainly used. In Japan, the sterilization using -ray was developed in 1980s. Recently, the treatment of electron beam is increasing because of large throughput and low oxidation degradation. Sterilization of herbal medicine, food irradiation of spices and dry vegetables are expecting to commercialize near future.