Some effects of ionizing radiations on lipids. I. Monocarbonyl production in vegetable oils

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Abstract
Summary and Conclusions: Irradiation of refined vegetable oils by high‐energy cathode rays resulted in the production of monocarbonyl compounds. The yield was about 0.2 µM per gram per 106 rep. for doses up to about 107 rep. Some of the products were themselves sensitive to the radiations, and the net yield was dependent upon a function of the concentrations and reactivities of the precursors and of the end‐products.Concurrently with the formation of the monocarbonyls there was an attack on the conjugated triene systems in the media and an increase in ultraviolet absorption in the 225–240 mµ region. However the irradiation products resulted from other mechanisms in addition to those involving the trienes.Irradiation under reduced temperature or in vacuum or with the addition of antioxidants did not decrease the yield of monocarbonyl compounds. However the use of a vacuum and the inclusion of antioxidants were partially effective in reducing the irradiation attack on triene groups.The net yields of monocarbonyls were dependent upon the concentrations and sensitivities of the products as well as of their precursors. Thus, although methods commonly successful in inhibiting oxidations of oils did not reduce these yields, they did suppress some irradiation‐induced reactions, particularly those involving unsaturated compounds. In this respect their action was similar to that which has been demonstrated in inhibition studies of antioxidations in oils.