[Radiation-induced changes in the properties of gelatin]

The impact of high energetic rays between 10 and 100 kGy on gels and solutions of gelatin is studied. Physical and biopharmaceutical properties are changing dependent on the rayage and the content of glycerol and water. The possibilities of influencing melting behaviour, viscosity, rigidity, temperature of gel formation, imbibition behaviour and dissolution in foillike preparations are determined. Glycerol is able to compensate the radioinduced changes of the structure of gelatin up to a dose of 50 kGy. Its use as a radioprotective material is being discussed.