RADIATION-INDUCED DEGRADATION OF D-FRUCTOSE IN ANAEROBIC CONDITION

Gamma-radiolysis of o-fructose in aqueous solution under an anaerobic condition was investigated in the presence or absence of radical scavengers. Radiolytic decomposition of fructose was considered to be mainly initiated by the hydrogen abstraction of hydroxyl radical to give fructose radical. One part of the radical was converted into deoxydicarbonyl sugars through its dehydration, and another part was transformed into dicarbonyl sugars by its disproportionation reaction. On the other hand, the addition of hydrated electron to fructose was proved by the irradiation with N20 and KSCN, in which a slight amount of 1-deoxy-o-arabinohexulose was identified as a product. Five deoxy and two dicarbonyl sugars were identified along with their G-values, and the radiolytic mechanism of o-fructose in the absence of oxygen was also proposed. © 1979 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.