The role of water in the radiation sensitization of acetone.

These experiments were aimed at the better understanding of the mechanism of the enhancement of radiation damage brought about by acetone in spores of Bacillus megaterium. Particularly, the intention was to examine the extent of involvement of water content in this action of acetone. The radiosensitization of acetone increased with increasing oxygen concentration and ultimately became zero at 2.1% O2 in N2. The extent of sensitization increased with rising concentration of acetone up to the first peak (50% acetone in water) under anaerobic condition. Further increase in acetone concentration resulted a maximum response seen at 90% acetone in water. To investigate the role of hydroxyl radical in the radiation sensitization caused by acetone two different types of hydroxyl radical scavengers (t-butanol and iso-propanol) were used.