Effect of Ethanol on the Radiolysis of Ribonuclease

Summary

The dependence of D₃₇ on the ribonuclease concentration was measured for the depolymerase and hydrolase activity. Ethanol gives different radiation protection to the two functions by OH^·-scavenging. Evidence for the reaction of ethanol radicals was obtained by simultaneously scavenging hydrated electrons, OH^·- and most of the H^·-radicals without increase in the radiation protection. The efficiency of the individual primary radicals and the ethanol radicals in inactivating ribonuclease is calculated from the measured inactivation yield.