A change in the collagen secondary structure induced by γ-irradiation in aqueous solution

The conformation of calf skin collagen at the secondary structure level changed after 60Co-γ-radiation with doses ranging from 50 to 1,000 Gy in aerated aqueous solutions and in the presence of N2 and N2O. Despiralization of collagen at a dose of 1,000 Gy reached 90% in N2O, 70% in N2, and 60% in the aerated solution. The radiochemical yield of the despiralized collagen molecules was 0.007 mol/100 eV owing to OH. The presence of radioprotective agents upon irradiation of collagen solutions diminished considerably the injury to its secondary structure