[en] A method of reducing the degree of polymerization of cellulose is explored. The cellulose is irradiated with gamma radiation from a ⁶⁰Co source. The temperature is controlled between 303-433⁰K. The temperature dependence of the depolymerization is described graphically. The radiation destruction of cellulose is accompanied by the formation of carboxyl and carbonyl groups. The carbonyl concentration is considerably higher than carboxyl at all temperatures. The concentrations of these groups increases with increasing temperature

[en] Radiation-chemical processess involving cellulose are the subject of a considerable number of publications. However, this is still a subject of great interest both from the theoretical standpoint, e.g., for interpretation of solid-phase conversions and structure of cellulose, and for practical purposes, such as production of soluble degraded cellulose materials. The purpose of the present work was to study changes in the structure and degree of polymerization (DP/sub V/) of cotton cellulose after exposure to ionizing radiation. Comparison of such data would make it possible to deduce the role of the crystalline state in radiation-induced processes in cellulose

[en] The change in functional composition and molecular mass of crab, shrimp, and Antarctic shrimp (krill) chitin under the effect of ionizing radiation has been studied. By electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy it was established that primary radicals appear in positions 1 and 4 of the pyranose ring with subsequent breakdown of the glycoside bond analogous to cellulose and chitosan decay when γ-irradiated. A scheme of radiochemical transformations of chitin is suggested