Identification of free radicals induced by gamma irradiation in amino acid derivatives

Powders of N- acetyl- L- leucine and N- methyl- L- glutamic acid were gamma irradiated and the free radicals formed were investigated at room temperature by electron paramagnetic resonance technique. The free radicals formed in compounds were attributed to the (CH3)2CCH2CH(NHCOCH3)COOH and HOOCCH2CH2C (NHCH3)COOH radicals respectively. Both radicals are very stable and we could observe them for five months without almost intensity diminution at room temperature. The g values of the radicals and the hyperfine structure constants of the free electron with nearby protons and 14N nucleus were determined. The results were found to be in good agreement with the existing literature data.