Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Lethal and Sterilizing Effects of Gamma Radiation on Insects Infesting Cereal Commodities

  • Letter
  • Published:

From Nature

View current issue Submit your manuscript

Abstract

INSECTS infesting stored foodstuffs have been treated with γ-radiation from cobalt-60 sources1,2 and with accelerated electrons from a Van de Graaff generator2–4. Results have shown that cathode-, γ- and X-rays are comparable in their efficiency in destroying insects2,5. The design, operation and cost of constructing irradiation facilities for research purposes6 and for the treatment of bulk foodstuffs on a commercial scale7,8 have been detailed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hassett, C. C., and Jenkins, D. W., Nucleonics, 10, 42 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Proctor, B. E., Lockhart, E. E., and Goldblith, S. A., Final Report, Dept. Food Tech., Mass. Inst. Tech., January 1, 1954.

  3. Baker, V. H., Taboada, O., and Wiant, D. E., Agric. Eng., 34, 755 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Baker, V. H., Taboada, O., and Wiant, D. E., Agric. Eng., 35, 407 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Proctor, B. E., Lockhart, E. E., Goldblith, S. A., and others, Food Tech., 8, 536 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Darden, E. B., Mayens, E., and Bushland, R. C., Nucleonics, 12, 60 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Brownell, L. E., Nehemias, J. V., and Bulmer, J. J., U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Report A.E.C.U., 3050 (1955).

  8. Baker, V. H., Taboada, O., and Wiant, D. E., Electronics, 28, 202 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Whiting, A. R., Anal. Rec., 108, 206 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technological Irradiation Group, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks

    P. B. CORNWELL, L. J. CROOK & J. O. BULL

Authors
  1. P. B. CORNWELL
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. L. J. CROOK
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. O. BULL
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

CORNWELL, P., CROOK, L. & BULL, J. Lethal and Sterilizing Effects of Gamma Radiation on Insects Infesting Cereal Commodities. Nature 179, 670–672 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1038/179670b0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/179670b0

  • Springer Nature Limited

This article is cited by

Search

Navigation