Radiolysis of aqueous solutions of ribose-5-phosphate. The effect of pH

The effect of pH on the process of radiolysis of aqueous ribose-5-phosphate (R-5-P) solutions was investigated. Solutions at concentration 10-2 M were irradiated in the γ60Co source in the presence of N2 over the range of doses from 0 to 1.4 Mrad. It has been found that pH of the solution affects the radiation yield of ribose-5-phosphate decomposition, G-values measured by loss in reducing power were 3.7 for a solution of pH=2.20 and 2.9 for neutral and alkaline solutions. Similarly, pH has been found to affect the radiation yield of the formation of inorganic phosphate, malondialdehyde and substances absorbing in ultraviolet region (lambdasub(max)=263 nm). (author)