Radiation-induced coloration of xylenol blue/film containing hexachloroethane for food irradiation applications.

Polyvinyl butyral films mixed with xylenol blue (XB) indicator and hexachloroethane (HCE) were prepared for possible application in food irradiation. Upon γ-irradiation the films undergo visual color change from yellow (XB, pH 8) to red (XB, pH 2.8) by H formation in the presence of HCE. The dosimetric characteristics of films containing different dye and HCE concentrations were investigated spectrophotometrically at λ 555 nm. Radiation sensitivity is enhanced with HCE and, accordingly red color intensity. The prepared films can be applicable in dose range 0.25-10 kGy with uncertainty of dose reaching 4.45 % at 1 σ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]