Abstract
When maltose is irradiated with Co/sup 60/ gamma radiation in oxygenated solution, the predominating initial process is a hydrolytic type of scission to glucose. There is accompanying oxidative scission, to yield gluconic acid. Maltobionic acid and an additional disaccharide acid, probably formed by oxidation of a 6-CH/sub 2/. OH group, are also initial products. Radioactive- tracer and paper-chromatographic methods were used to obtain yield-dose curves for the products and to measure the rate of degradation of maltose (initial -G 4.0), which is of the first order in maltose. Secondary degradative processes lead to additional products at doses higher than 2 x 10/sup 20/ ev ml/sup -1/. The effect of maltose concentration on the radiative decomposition was examined, and possible mechanisms are discussed. A post-irradiation process leads to the formation of acid, reduction in hydrogen peroxide, and decrease in intensity of the ultraviolet absorption at 267 m mu . The after-effect is shown to be a thermal reaction due to hydrogen peroxide. (auth)
Published Version
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