The effect of neutron irradiation on the IR spectra of human blood serum

This work experimentally investigates the IR spectra of human blood serum under exposure to air and under the influence of low fluxes of thermal neutrons within specified time intervals. It was found that when serum is exposed to air for up to three days, the content of $\text{-C-O-}$ and $\text{-C-O-C-}$ groups in carbohydrates and 5,6-membered sugars increases. However, with exposure extending to seven days, the growth of these groups becomes negligible. Upon further exposure up to 30 days, their content decreases. When irradiated with a thermal neutron flux of up to $1{,}3 \cdot 10^8$ fluence, the concentration of $\text{-C-O-}$ groups increases significantly. However, after seven days of irradiation, this content diminishes. Irradiation for three days with a thermal neutron flux of $1{,}3 \cdot 10^8$ fluence, followed by up to seven days with an increased flux of $3 \cdot 10^8$ fluence, also promotes accelerated formation of methyl groups. Both air exposure and irradiation with a thermal neutron flux of $1{,}3 \cdot 10^9$ fluence for up to 30 days were found to produce identical effects on the serum.