No abstract

After y-radiolysis of de-aerated aqueous solutions of sodium chondroitin 4-sulphate, acids (G=2 .6) and reducing products (G=0 . 4) are readily produced .The yields of these products are approximately doubled when the irradiation is carried out in N2O-saturated solution . Depolymerization of the polymer is accompanied by a decrease in the ability of the polymer to bind to methylene blue and cetyl pyridinium chloride, and at a dose of 11 x 10 18 eV ml -1 in argonsaturated solution, five low molecular weight products, the smallest of which approximates to a tetramer, are readily discernable . Analysis of the products indicates that the hexosamine moiety is more stable towards ionizing radiations than the hexuronic acid.