Deamination of Amino-Acids by X-Rays

Abstract

RECENTLY we have isolated products of hydroxylation from dilute aqueous solutions of benzene and benzoic acid irradiated with ionizing radiations (X-rays, γ-rays, neutrons)¹. The formation of phenolic compounds in these experiments furnished experimental evidence in support of the theory put forward by one of us² in 1944, according to which the primary action of ionizing radiations results in the splitting of the water molecules according to,presumably through the ions H₂O⁺ and H₂O⁻. These reaction products are similar to those obtained from the same substances by the action of OH-radicals produced chemically (for example, by the hydrogen peroxide – ferrous salt system), or in the biological oxidation of these substances³. We have now found that irradiation by X-rays of dilute aqueous solutions of certain simple amino-acids results in an (oxidative) deamination yielding ammonia, and the corresponding aldehydes similar to those obtained from the same substances in vitro by the action of OH-radicals produced chemically⁴.