Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42738676›Full record

ArticleMolecules (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Thermoluminescence-Based Detection of Irradiation in Valerian Root (

Jarosław Chmielewski, Michał Sroka, Barbara Gworek, Ewa Górska, Piotr Szenk, Edyta Hewelke, Monika Kaczoruk

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Jarosław ChmielewskiFaculty of Health Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland.ORCID 0000-0003-2606-1656
Michał SrokaIndependent Researcher, London W1W 5PF, UK.ORCID 0009-0004-3985-8052
Barbara GworekDepartment of Environmental Chemistry and Risk Assessment, The Institute of Environmental Protection-National Research Institute, 02-170 Warsaw, Poland.ORCID 0000-0002-2368-5888
Ewa GórskaDepartment of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.ORCID 0000-0003-0001-2274
Piotr SzenkFaculty of Medicine, Lazarski University, 02-662 Warsaw, Poland.ORCID 0000-0003-3112-958X
Edyta HewelkeDepartment of Environmental Development and Remote Sensing, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland.ORCID 0000-0002-0253-7149
Monika KaczorukInstitute of Rural Health, 20-090 Lublin, Poland.ORCID 0000-0002-2436-5747

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesFood irradiation is a recognized method for the microbiological decontamination and preservation of plant raw materials; however, in the European Union, its use is subject to strict legal regulation and to a mandatory labelling obligation. For dietary supplements, which are legally classified as foodstuffs, this issue is particularly important for market transparency and the consumer's right to information. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the presence of post-irradiation characteristics in selected dietary supplements available at retail in Poland, with particular attention to products containing valerian root (

methodsThe analysis included 15 analytical samples representing 11 commercial formulations. The study was performed using the thermoluminescence method according to standard PN-EN 1788:2002 in an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory.

resultsThermoluminescence characteristics consistent with prior irradiation were observed in 7 samples, whereas 8 samples did not show such properties. Positive results concerned exclusively products containing valerian root, including replicate batches of two commercial formulations. None of the positive samples carried any label information about irradiation or exposure to ionizing radiation. The results indicate that some dietary supplements on the market may be subjected to irradiation without this being properly reflected in their labelling.

conclusionsGiven the pilot nature of the study and the limited, non-random sample, the results should be treated as a premise for further analysis rather than as a basis for generalizing to the entire market. The results of this study indicate a need for broader analytical monitoring and targeted control of dietary supplements containing plant raw materials.

Indexed as

Dietary SupplementsFood IrradiationFood LabelingPlant RootsValerianPilot ProjectsPlant ExtractsPlant ExtractsValeriana extractdietary supplementsfood fraudfood irradiationfood labellingionizing radiationmarket surveillancetechnological authenticitythermoluminescencevalerianValeriana officinalis

Identifiers

PMID42738676
PMCPMC13567089

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.