Not entirely true.
Irradiation sterilization is indeed a good sterilization method, and X-rays can indeed be used for radiation sterilization.
But it is not only X-rays that can be used for radiation sterilization, but also others, such as ultraviolet rays, α-rays, γ-rays, β-rays, etc. Generally speaking, radiation sterilization is very suitable for foods that are not suitable for high-temperature sterilization. It is an excellent cold sterilization technology. For example, many of Chongqing’s pickled pepper and chicken feet are sterilized by radiation.
It is worth mentioning that any prepackaged food that uses irradiation for sterilization must indicate this sterilization method near the product name.
The working principles of several types of radiation sterilization:
Ultraviolet: Ultraviolet light causes adjacent pyrimidines in DNA molecules to form pyrimidine dimers, inhibiting DNA replication and transcription and other functions, killing To kill dead microorganisms, food companies usually use ultraviolet lamps, one lamp per 10 square meters, which is conducive to ultraviolet sterilization and keeps the production environment clean. However, the penetrating ability of ultraviolet rays is very weak and can generally only sterilize the surface of objects.
X-rays and γ-rays: can oxidize other substances or generate free radicals (OH·H) and then act on biomolecules, or directly act on biomolecules, breaking hydrogen bonds and oxidizing double bonds. Destroy and change the structure of biological macromolecules by destroying ring structures or polymerizing certain molecules, thereby inhibiting or killing microorganisms.