Feasibility study of a chlorophyll dosimeter for high energy X-ray beam used in radiotherapy

Chlorophyll extracted from Mangifera indica leaves in acetone (80%) has been explored for its feasibility as a radiation dosimeter in therapeutic X-rays. The UV-VIS spectroscopic analysis of the irradiated samples shows a decrease in optical density at 664 nm with an increase in the X-ray dose. A linear response has been observed up to 2 Gy (Pearson's correlation coefficient is 0.90), and a supralinear trend thereafter. The dosimeter has been found to be energy dependent and dose rate independent. The chlorophyll molecule has shown the potential to be used as a radiation dosimeter. (author)