The deamination of glycine by α-radiation from the disintegration of boron in a nuclear reactor

Abstract

The deamination of glycine by the densely ionizing particles from the disintegration of boron by slow neutrons in a nuclear reactor was studied. The ionic yields for the liberation of ammonia were 0.17 and 0.56 for 1 and 20% solns. of glycine, respectively, being 15 and 19% of that due to X-radiation. The higher efficiency of deamination by this radiation compared with the in-activation of an enzyme by alpha-rays from radon and its products are discussed.