Radiolysis of biogenic amines in model system by gamma irradiation

Irradiation effects on nine kinds of biogenic amine (BA) standards, putrescine, cadaverine, P-phenylethylamine, spermidine, spermine, tryptamine, histamine, tyramine, and agmatine were investigated. The standards were dissolved in distilled water with a concentration of 10 mg%, and gamma-irradiated at 2.5, 5, 10, 20, or 25 kGy. Gamma-irradiation destroyed 5-100% of the BAs. Significant degradation of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine occurred in samples irradiated to absorbed doses equal to or greater than 5 kGy. An absorbed dose of 20 kGy degraded over 95% of the other BAs. Gamma irradiation induces radiolytic degradation of BAs in a model system. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.