Skip to main content
Log in

The effects of ultra-violet light and X-rays on aqueous solutions of poly-L-glutamic acid

  • Published:
Biophysik Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Poly-L-glutamic acid (PLGA) in aqueous solution in helical or random coil form was irradiated in air by X-rays or ultra-violet light. It was observed that both X-rays and ultra-violet light caused degradation of PLGA in either form. The changes in molecular weight of PLGA in alkaline solutions caused by X-ray irradiation were larger than those in acidic solutions. This fact indicates that the coil form suffers more degradation than the helix form. X-rays caused little change in the conformation of PLGA, while ultra-violet light effectively broke the helix form. The decrease in helix content brought about by ultra-violet exposure could not be explained just by degradation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Charlesby, A.: Atomic radiation and polymers. London: Pergamon Press 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  2. —, Thomas, D. K.: A comparison of the effects of ultraviolet and gamma radiation in polymethylmethacrylate. Proc. roy. Soc. A269, 104–124 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Doty, P., Wada, A., Yang, J. T.: Polypeptides. VIII. Molecular configurations of poly-L-glutamic acid in water-dioxane solution. J. Polymer Sci.23, 851–860 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Nitta, K., Sugai, S.: Potentiometric titration of poly-DL-glutamic acid in aqueous solutions. Japan. J. Appl. Phys.4, 468–469 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Rosenheck, K., Doty, P.: The far ultraviolet absorption spectra of polypeptide and protein solutions and their dependence on conformation. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.)47, 1775 to 1785 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ishikawa, M.: Effects of ultraviolet radiation on aqueous polyelectrolyte solutions. J. Polymer Sci.7, 993–1003 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Wada, A.: Helix-coil transformation and titration curve of poly-L-glutamic acid. J. molec. Biol.2, 409–416 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ishikawa, M. The effects of ultra-violet light and X-rays on aqueous solutions of poly-L-glutamic acid. Biophysik 7, 1–7 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01189456

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01189456

Keywords

Navigation