Great Northern bean starch, irradiated at doses of 2.5-20 kGy, had increased free and total acidity, concomitant with a pH decrease from 6.9 to 3.9 and a rapid increase of reducing value. The swelling power of the bean starch decreased with irradiation dose. A rapid increase of water and 80% ethanol solubility at 25°C was observed at doses ~10 kGy. No differences were detected on damaged starch or changes in X-;ay diffraction pattern. ESR spectra of the irradiated bean starch after 9 and 11 mo storage (-40°C) showed the presence of long life radicals, which could be stabilized after adding water.