Photoelectric properties and detection of the aromatic carcinogens benzo(a)pyrene and dimethylbenzanthracene

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.76.9.4180· OSTI ID:5365624

Houle, W A; Brown, H M; Griffith, O H

The absolute photoelectron quantum yield spectra for benzo(a)pyrene and dimethylbenzanthracene are presented in the wavelength range 180 to 230 nm. These polycyclic aromatic carciogens have photoelectron quantum yields of approximately 2 x 10/sup -3/ electrons per incident photon at 180 nm. The quantum yields fall off quickly and monotonically at wavelengths longer than 210 nm (5.9 eV). Threshold values for benzo(a)pyrene and dimethylbenzanthracene are 5.25 +- 0.06 eV and 5.27 +- 0.04 eV, respectively. The photoelectron quantum yields of benzo(a)pyrene and dimethylbenzanthracene are several orders of magnitude greater than typical components of biological membranes (amino acids, phospholipids, and polysaccharides). Preliminary micrographs of benzo(a)pyrene and dimethylbenzanthracene sublimed onto poly(L-lysine) and onto dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine demonstrate the high contrast of small crystallites of carcinogens against a background of membrane components. These results and calculations involving relative contrast factors suggest that the distribution of these carcinogens in biological membranes can be determined by using photoelectron microscopy.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Oregon, Eugene
• OSTI ID: 5365624
• Journal Information: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States), Journal Name: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States) Vol. 76:9; ISSN PNASA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550200 -- Biochemistry
560301* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Cells-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AROMATICS
BENZOPYRENE
CARCINOGENESIS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL MEMBRANES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DIMETHYLBENZANTHRACENE
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
HYDROCARBONS
MEMBRANES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PATHOGENESIS
PHOTOELECTRON COUNTING
PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
QUALITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SPECTROSCOPY