Identification of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone and linear-alkanes as irradiation markers in sliced dry-cured ham

The usefulness of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2-DCB) and alkane hydrocarbons as irradiation markers in sliced dry-cured ham was evaluated by solid phase microextraction (SPME)-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). To that aim, sliced dry-cured ham was irradiated with different irradiation doses and subsequently examined together with non-irradiated dry-cured ham used as a control sample. The SPME conditions utilized were selected as a consequence of performing an optimization process. The results found in this work reflected that the presence of 2-DCB may be used as an irradiation indicator in sliced dry-cured ham since it does not occur in non-irradiated samples. This confirms data reported in the literature on irradiated foods, other than ham. Likewise, the concentrations of alkanes C14–C17 increased considerably in samples irradiated with low doses, although a decrease was observed when high irradiation doses were used. As a consequence, the concentration of these compounds can also be used as an irradiation indicator when doses lower than 1.0 kGy are applied. These results are discussed.