ABSTRACT
The microbial lethality of gamma rays and electrons is accomplished by ionization; electrons are direct ionizing radiation, whereas photons are indirect ionizing radiation. The energy transferred by these radiations during the sterilization process produces chemical and/or physical changes at the molecular level resulting in chain scission, polymerization, cross-linking, sterilization, and disinfection. The number of organisms inactivated by a given radiation dose is a statistical phenomenon. Gamma irradiation can take place in a batch or continuous process. E-beam sterilization is a machine-based radiation method. Electron beams can be either vertical which facilitates conveyor loading or horizontal which facilitates two-sided irradiation. The number of organisms inactivated by a given radiation dose is a statistical phenomenon. It depends on the sensitivity of the microorganism to alterations of biologically active molecules and their ability to repair the alterations. The greater the degree of contamination, the higher the radiation dose required to achieve the desired level of inactivation.
