Photochemical transformations in collagen in the presence of β-carotene

Abstract

The influence of UV radiation (253.7 nm) on collagen in the absence and presence of β-carotene was investigated. It was found that the relative viscosity and laevorotation of collagen decreased rapidly during irradiation. The polydispersity was also changed, and the amide bands in the IR spectra were shifted to lower frequencies. In addition, the absorbance of the H 2O, CO, COOH, COO − and CH 2N groups was decreased. Such changes in the physical properties indicate that photodegradation, phototransformation and changes in the conformational state of collagen take place during UV irradiation. Smaller changes in the above properties in the presence of β-carotene suggest that it makes collagen more resistant to the action of UV radiation.