Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of gamma irradiation on the physical and structural properties of β-glucan. β-Glucan solution (10%, w/v) was exposed to a cobalt-60 source (10, 30, and 50 kGy). Gel permeation chromatography data showed that the average molecular weight of irradiated β-glucan significantly decreased as the irradiation dose increased. In addition, gamma irradiation improved the solubility and decreased the viscosity of β-glucan by the radiolysis of the glycosidic bonds, and this effect was dependent upon the absorbed dose. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that the functional groups of β-glucan were not significantly affected by gamma irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that the irradiated β-glucan was deformed into smaller granules. Therefore, gamma irradiation could be used in commercial processes as an effective method to resolve the physical problems involved in the use of β-glucan with high viscosity and low solubility.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 781-786 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Radiation Physics and Chemistry |
| Volume | 77 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2008 Jun |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was cosupported by the Basic Research Support Program, Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute, and by the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation, Ministry of Science and Technology, Korean government, through its National Nuclear Technology Program.
Copyright:
Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Gamma irradiation
- Radiolysis
- Solubility
- Viscosity
- β-Glucan
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiation