ESR study of γ-irradiated hyperquenched glassy water doped with thymine and its nucleoside

Abstract Using X-band ESR spectroscopy we have studied radicals produced by γ -irradiation at 77 K in hyperquenched glassy water (HGW) doped with thymine, 2′-deoxythymidyne, 2-deoxy- d -ribose, and the equimolar mixture of thymine and 2-deoxy- d -ribose. In HGW matrix the solute molecules are not freeze-concentrated, so the indirect radiation effects on biomolecules can be followed. The results are discussed in terms of the mechanism of radical formation and the role of sugar in radiation damage of nucleosides.