Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Two Gelatin Fractions II: Studies on Viscosity, Sedimentation Velocity, and Molecular Weight Effects

Abstract

The effects of subdenaturant levels of irradiation on two fractions, F-I and F-II, isolated from commercial pigskin gelatin, were investigated through viscosity and sedimentation studies in 2M potassium thiocyanate solutions. The source of irradiation was a 3 Mev Van de Graaff accelerator. When used as controls, F-l and F-II were found to have intrinsic viscosity values of 0.675 and 0.550, respectively, while their respective average molecular weights were determined to be 173,000 and 86,000. After subjection to variable irradiation dose, the log of intrinsic viscosity values for F-I were directly proportional to the log of absorbed dose while an inverse proportionality occurred with F-II. Determination of Svedberg constants showed a similar pattern prevailed in the respective fractions when observed under sedimentation velocity conditions. Data obtained indicate random coil configuration was substantially undisturbed as radiation was applied, but bond rupture and linkage processes did occur. The effects of subdenaturant levels of irradiation on two fractions, F-I and F-II, isolated from commercial pigskin gelatin, were investigated through viscosity and sedimentation studies in 2M potassium thiocyanate solutions. The source of irradiation was a 3 Mev Van de Graaff accelerator. When used as controls, F-l and F-II were found to have intrinsic viscosity values of 0.675 and 0.550, respectively, while their respective average molecular weights were determined to be 173,000 and 86,000. After subjection to variable irradiation dose, the log of intrinsic viscosity values for F-I were directly proportional to the log of absorbed dose while an inverse proportionality occurred with F-II. Determination of Svedberg constants showed a similar pattern prevailed in the respective fractions when observed under sedimentation velocity conditions. Data obtained indicate random coil configuration was substantially undisturbed as radiation was applied, but bond rupture and linkage processes did occur.