Monte Carlo Radiation Transport and Dose–Response Modelling of Low-Energy X-Ray–Irradiated Beef Preservation: A Systematic Review

Authors

  • Adima Ogor Sunday
    Department of Physics, Federal University of Lafia - Nasarawa State.
  • Aisha Ademoh Bello
  • Joseph Dlama Zira

Keywords:

X-Ray, Simulation, Radiation

Abstract

Low-energy X-ray irradiation has emerged as a promising non-thermal technology for beef preservation due to its effectiveness in reducing microbial contamination while maintaining product quality. However, the predominance of photoelectric interactions and strong photon attenuation at low energies can result in non-uniform dose deposition within beef matrices, potentially influencing microbial inactivation and shelf-life outcomes. This study systematically reviewed the literature on low-energy X-ray irradiation of beef, with emphasis on radiation transport modelling, absorbed dose distribution, microbial inactivation kinetics, and packaging effects. A structured search of Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies addressing low-energy X-ray treatment of meat products, radiation transport simulation, dosimetry, microbial survival analysis, and packaging influence were evaluated. The review revealed that most published studies focused on empirical microbial dose–response relationships, while only a limited number incorporated Monte Carlo radiation transport modelling for spatial dose assessment. The findings further showed that low-energy X-ray irradiation effectively reduces populations of foodborne pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes, with microbial inactivation strongly dependent on absorbed dose and irradiation conditions. However, significant research gaps remain regarding three-dimensional dose mapping in beef, the integration of Monte Carlo-derived dose distributions with microbial survival models, and the influence of packaging geometry on dose heterogeneity and preservation outcomes. The review highlights the need for validated Monte Carlo-based predictive frameworks that integrate radiation transport, microbial inactivation, and packaging effects to optimize low-energy X-ray beef preservation and improve shelf-life prediction.

Dimensions

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Published

2026-08-25

How to Cite

Sunday, A. O., Bello, A. A., & Zira, J. D. (2026). Monte Carlo Radiation Transport and Dose–Response Modelling of Low-Energy X-Ray–Irradiated Beef Preservation: A Systematic Review. Nigerian Journal of Physics, 35(S), 94-102. https://doi.org/10.62292/

Issue

Vol. 35 No. S (2026): Nigerian Journal of Physics - Vol. 35(S)

Section

Review Articles
Copyright & Licensing

Copyright (c) 2026 Adima Ogor Sunday, Aisha Ademoh Bello, Joseph Dlama Zira

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Sunday, A. O., Bello, A. A., & Zira, J. D. (2026). Monte Carlo Radiation Transport and Dose–Response Modelling of Low-Energy X-Ray–Irradiated Beef Preservation: A Systematic Review. Nigerian Journal of Physics, 35(S), 94-102. https://doi.org/10.62292/

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