Use of electron spin resonance measurements on irradiated sperma lentil seeds to indicate accidental irradiation

The results of electron spin resonance studies on gamma-irradiated micro- and macrosperma lentil seeds are reported. Spectra of non-irradiated intact sperma were composed of an equally spaced sextet originating from the presence of Mn2+ ions and a single weak resonance line. Irradiation produced a linear increase in the radical signal intensity in the radiation dose range (0.5-5 kGy) studied, without affecting the Mn2+ signal. Signal intensities of both sperma followed compound exponential decay curves originating from the presence of three different radical species. Heating the sperma cause irreversible decreases in both radical and Mn2+ signal intensities. Two radical species, described in the present work, and a radical of unknown origin were used to explain the experimental results.