Role of adsorbed water in radiolysis of polysaccharides

The role of adsorbed water in radiolytic decomposition of polysaccharides (starch, dextran and cellulose) is considered. Irradiation of polysaccharide samples with natural moisture and preliminary dried in vacuum was conducted at room temperature by 60Co γ-rays in dose interval from 29 to 800 kGy, dose rate in irradiated volume is 2 Gy/s. It is pointed out that in all native polysaccharides two processes are induced by γ-irradiation. One proceeds with water adsorption, the second is accompanied by isolation of water, which accumulates in the sample irradiated and then is absorbed by the sample. The conclusion about participation first of water adsorbed and then water accumulated in dehydration process of primary macro-radicals is confirmed by the investigation results of H2 and CO2 accumulation dose dependences