Sensitivity of gelatin and albumin to irradiation at 230 NM.

Abstract

Gelatin or poly-L-tyrosyl gelatin shows extensive degradation when exposed to ultraviolet radiation at a wavelength of 230 nm. Bovine serum albumin, a globular protein, exposed either to such ultraviolet radiation or to gamma-irradiation in the solid state resists the photolysis of peptide bonds. Molecular weights are determined by the ultracentrifugal "low speed" sedimentation equilibrium method. The effect of different speeds on the apparent average molecular weight of heterogenous material is clearly illustrated.