Dosimetric characteristics and applications of cross-linking and degradation of a natural biopolymer Gum Acacia

The current study covers the effect of gamma rays on a natural biopolymer Gum Arabic (GA). Gum acacia has a very wide range applications in various fields, that a comparison between two dosimetry systems; the first system depends on the radiolysis of GA (mixing poly-vinyl alcohol) as a thin-film dosimeter. The second system depends on the same material GA as solutions dosimeter, which is more sensitive to γ-radiation due to free mobility of free radicals released by the action of gamma rays. The prepared GA/film/solutions have a considerable peak at 289 nm, which increases (cross-linking of GA polymer) upon irradiation until 28 and 6 kGy for two systems, respectively in case of the first step. However, upon increased the absorbed doses and the intensity of the signal decrease with increasing radiation dose (degradation of GA polymer) up to 80 and 15 kGy for film and solutions. Radiation chemical yield G-(value); dose-response function; gamma radiation sensitivity; also pre- and post-irradiation stability under various conditions were illustrated.