International Journal of Chemistry and Material Science Vol. 1(8), pp. 195-200, August, 2013 ISSN 2327-5553 ©2013 Academe Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Spectrophotometric analysis and gamma irradiation effects on dosimetric properties of Brassica oleracea dye aqueous solutions

Muhammad Attique Khan Shahid*, Arfa Mubashir, Bushra Bashir and Nayab Mansoor

Department of Physics, G.C. University, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: profkhan786@yahoo.com.

Accepted 30 July, 2013

Abstract

Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) contains a pigment called anthocyanine which changes color over different pH ranges. We examined spectrophotometrically the effects of gamma irradiation on aqueous solutions of red cabbage dye to facilitate industrial applications. Samples were exposed to Cs-137 γ source from 0-100 kGy. Irradiation greater than 60 kGy clearly affected the major colorant in extracts of red cabbage leaves. Dosimetric characterization on basis of dye concentration and pH values was also described which showed that these dye solutions can satisfactorily be used as dye dosimeters in gamma dose range of 60-100 kGy.

Key words: Aqueous solutions, red cabbage dye, gamma irradiation, optical density (OD), decolouration.