FT NIR Raman studies on gamma-irradiated bone.

Exciting with the Nd:YAG laser line at 1064 nm allows to receive high-quality, fluorescence-free Raman spectra of biomaterials. The paper presents investigations of Raman scattering from the bone irradiated with gamma radiation up to the dose of 1000 kGy. Results of Raman spectra studies of gamma-irradiated bone allowed to show that inorganic component of the animal bone are more sensitive to gamma radiation than the organic component. The changes in the irradiated bone were evaluated on the basis of the changes in the intensities of line, changes in their position and changes in some important ratios. Independent determination of the protein content and the content of some important amino acids were compared with the data obtain in the Raman studies. The majority of the bands assigned to organic component of bone were affected by doses higher than 100 kGy.