Electron-Impact-Induced Fragmentation of a Glutamine Molecule

Abstract

The formation of ionized products upon single and dissociative ionization of a glutamine (C₅H₁₀N₂O₃) molecule by electron impact at low (70 eV) and high (11.5 MeV) energies has been studied by method of mass spectrometry. The mass spectra of glutamine molecules have been obtained upon electron irradiation to various doses (0, 5, 10, and 20 kGy) and for various threshold functions of ion fragment yield. The absolute values of ion fragment appearance energies are determined. Electron beams were generated by a three-electrode gun and electron accelerator (microtron). Comparative analysis of the measured mass spectra of unirradiated and irradiated glutamine molecules showed that high-energy irradiation produced irreversible changes in the molecular structure.