Technical Paper
Use of Irradiation as a HACCP, CCP Step for Bulk Soybeans Prior to Their Transit to Mars: Influence on Microbial Load, Functional Properties, and Yield of Soymilk and Tofu
2005-07-11
2005-01-2925
Soybeans were chosen for lunar and planetary missions, where soybeans will be supplied in bulk or grown locally, due to their nutritive value and ability to produce oil and protein for further food applications. However, soybeans must be processed into foods prior to consumption. Wilson et al. (2003) raised questions about the influence of radiation (on germination and functional properties) that the soybeans would be exposed to during bulk storage prior to and during a Mars mission. The influence of radiation can be broken down into two components: the affect of surface pasteurization to ensure the astronauts safety from food-borne illnesses (HACCP, CCP), and the affect of the amount of radiation the soybeans receive during a Mars mission. Decreases in the amount of natural antioxidants, free radical formation, and oxidation-induced changes in the soybean will influence the nutritional value, texture, and quality of soyfoods.