Spectroscopic studies on irradiated Crab carapace

Abstract

Abstract The crab carapace is the shell covering the body. The present work provides an overview of the use of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) after reviewing the status of the structure and composition of the crab carapace shell using XRD and FTIR techniques. Crab samples were cleaned from soft tissue, dried and irradiated with Co-60, with doses up to 30 kGy. EPR spectra of native as well as irradiated crab carapace samples were recorded and analyzed. FTIR results confirm the XRD results of the analyses done on the crab carapace shell. They show that, the main composite of the shell is calcium carbonate. The EPR results show that, the amplitude of the CO3 signals increased with increasing the absorbed dose. Identification of the irradiated carapace samples was concerned with the detection of the EPR spectra for g-values which are attributed to those in the coaxial CO3 free radical. The aim of the present work is studying the effect of radiation and investigation of some physicochemical properties of crab carapace shells using XRD, FTIR spectroscopy. Also, evaluation of the induced free radical in the crab carapace due to irradiation using the EPR technique.