EPR and UV spectral study of gamma-irradiated white and burned sugar, fructose and glucose.

The EPR and UV spectral properties of gamma-irradiated white and burned sugar, fructose and glucose are studied with the accent on their suitability as dosimetric materials. It is shown that gamma-irradiation of solid samples of white sugar and fructose yields stable EPR spectra whereas glucose signal remains time-dependent even 11 months later. Sugar and glucose exhibit linear EPR dose response in the region 0.44-21 kGy and fructose only up to ca. 10 kGy. The relative radiation sensitivity obtained for sugar and fructose is up to 10 kGy and slightly lower for glucose. Burned saccharides provide 2-3 orders of magnitude lower EPR radiation sensitivity making them not suitable for the proposed designation. According to the UV spectra water solutions of gamma-irradiated solid white saccharides show well pronounced absorption bands at 267 and 286 nm for sugar and fructose with time-dependent intensities reaching steady values ca. 11 days after dissolution. The intensities of these absorption bands are in linear relation with the absorbed dose of gamma-radiation. Glucose shows low sensitively because irradiation with 5.5 kGy yields only a shoulder at about 260-280 nm with decreasing to ca. 40% intensity in the first few days after dissolution. Excellent correlation between the intensities of the EPR- and UV-absorbed dose response is found for sugar and fructose in the region 0.44-10 kGy. This opens new possibilities for independent calibration the EPR dose response. Finally, the comparison suggests sugar as the best, universal material for EPR- and/or UV-dosimetry in the region 0.44-160 kGy.