High pressure processing (HPP) and gamma irradiation were applied to inactivate <i>Vibrio vulnificus</i> (MO624) and <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i> (O3:K6 TX2103) in pure culture and in inoculated live oysters. <i>Vibrio</i> pure culture and inoculated oysters were exposed to pressures of 207 MPa (30 kpsi) to 552 MPa (80 kpsi) for 0 min to maximum of 20 min. More than 5.4 log reductions of <i>V. vulnificus</i> occurred at 345 MPa for 0 min in oysters; 345 MPa for 2 min can achieve 4 log reductions on <i>V. parahaemolyticus</i>. Dosage of 1 kGy gamma-irradiation was proved to be effective in producing <i>Vibrio</i> free oysters with comparable organoleptic quality to raw oysters. Thermal conductivity of shucked oysters was measured to be 0.58 to 0.68 W/m°C, as temperature increased from 0 to 50 °C, using a line heat source probe. The specific heat was measured by differential scanning calorimeter methods. It increased from 3.80 to 4.05 kJ/kg °C, when temperature rose from 10 to 50 °C. The thermal diffusivity was calculated employing the data of thermal conductivity, specific heat and density of shucked oysters. The results showed that, under the tested temperature range, thermal properties did not change significantly with temperature. The dielectric constant and loss factor of oysters were determined by an open-ended coaxial line probe connected to a network analyzer at frequency of 30 MHz to 3000 MHz from 1 to 55 °C. The penetration depth of dielectric heating was calculated to be 1.1 cm with the dielectric constant of 55 and loss factor of 14. A two-dimensional mathematical model was established to simulate the heat transfer of microwave heating using a fish gel. Finite difference method was utilized to solve partial differential heat transfer equations. The model was able to predict the temperature distribution in heated fish gel with an accuracy of ± 8°C. Applying the developed mathematical model, the lethality of <i>Vibrio</i> spp., artificially inoculated in live oysters, was estimated collectively by integrating the individual localized lethality of designated heating units. The predicted lethality was compared with microwave enumeration data on Vibrios in oysters. The observed maximum log reductions by microbial enumeration were 4.4 and 3.4 for <i>V. vulnificus</i> and <i>V. parahaemolyticus</i>, respectively. The lethality calculated by integrating temperature profiles was acceptable. The discrepancy between the estimated lethality and microbial test was attributed to the simplified model construction. The quality of processed oysters, including color, aroma and texture properties, was evaluated instrumentally by a digital image system, an electronic nose and universal testing machine. The performance of two electronic nose systems on their abilities to detect oyster aroma and classify the aroma data into distinct groups was evaluated using a trained sensory panel and microbial tests. Cyranose 320 system has demonstrated potential as a quality assessment tool due to its sound correlation with microbial quality data and sensory evaluation scores. According to the quality measurement results, high pressure processing conditions were recommended to be at 345 MPa for less than 3 min and 379 MPa for less than 1.5 min. Deterioration of the quality was distinct for oyster meats exposed to 60 °C or above by thermal processing. The critical thermal processing condition was identified to be 55 °C for 2 min. With careful control, microwave processing could be considered as a candidate for seafood processing to reduce potential bacterial hazard but still retain the quality of the product. / Ph. D.

Brucella abortus (BA) are gram-negative, facultative intracellular bacteria that cause abortions in cattle and debilitating illness in humans. The US is now virtually free of bovine brucellosis, but the disease is endemic in wildlife. The official brucellosis vaccine in the US is strain RB51 (RB51). It elicits protective cell-mediated immunity (CMI) against BA infections. Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) causes paratuberculosis in ruminants. It is a slow growing intracellular parasite that requires CMI for its control, belongs to the genus Mycobacterium, and is closely related to M. avium avium (MA). Using RB51 as a vector that induces strong protective CMI may be useful to protect against MAP if it expresses MAP protective antigens. Therefore, MAP 85A and 35kDa proteins were expressed at low levels in RB51, and the immune responses elicited by these vaccines in BALB/c mice were evaluated. Strong anti-Brucella immunity was generated, but the anti-mycobacterial response was low. To evaluate protective efficacy, a BALB/c model using MA was developed. When mice were challenged with MA, protection was obtained in some experiments but was inconsistent. This may be due to the low expression of MAP antigens in RB51. Another objective was to evaluate the effect of an ongoing Brucella-infection on the efficacy of RB51 vaccination, and whether vaccination of already infected animals could have a curative effect. Mice acutely or chronically infected with virulent BA, rapidly cleared the RB51 vaccine organisms, but there was no significant decrease in the number of virulent BA. Brucella spp. have been developed as biological weapons, but there are no vaccines to protect humans. The development of a very attenuated protective vaccine is necessary to prevent human infections, as well as to protect wildlife. To generate such a vaccine, RB51 based vaccines were irradiated to render them non-replicative, but metabolically active. We demonstrated that in general, irradiated and non-irradiated RB51 vaccines remain protective at levels similar to those elicited by the live vaccines. Therefore, irradiation of strain RB51 is an effective means of attenuating the strain without affecting its protective characteristics, and could eventually be used as a vaccine for wildlife and humans. / Ph. D.

M. Tech. (Biotechnology, Department of Health Sciences), Vaal University of Technology / Amaranthus tricolor (A. tricolor) is a nutritious vegetable crop that is used as a subsistence and cash crop in the rural areas in Africa. Its yield and production is severely limited by abiotic stresses such as drought. Mutation technology, using gamma irradiation, was previously employed as a tool to create genetic variation in order to select for lines with improved drought-tolerance. During irradiation, 160 Gy (Gray) was selected as the optimal dosimetry that allowed subsequent seed germination. The resulting mutant lines were screened over several generations under field and greenhouse conditions and seven promising drought-tolerant lines were selected. Here we report on physiological and morphological studies of two of these Amaranthus mutant lines (#2 and #5) to confirm the enganced drought-tolerance. Plants were grown in the greenhouse in plastic pots containing germination mix with fertiliser. They were exposed to 21 days of well-watered condition, 19 days of drought-stress conditions and 7 days of re-watering. shoot height, leaf area, protein content and relative water content (RWC) of the fresh and dry material were determined colorimetrically under well-watered and drought-stress conditions, while anthocyanin was only measured during well-watered conditions. Shoot height, leaf area, number of leaves per plant and the protein content were significantly reduced under water-stress conditions. Under well-watered condition mutant #5 grew faster with the shoot length significantly higher than mutant #2 and the wild type. Even though drought adversely affected shoot lenght, mutant#5 still performed better than mutant #2 and the wild type under drought-stress conditions. While under both well-watered and drought-stress conditions, the wild type plants had bigger leaf area compared to the two mutant lines. After 16 days of drought-stress conditions, all the leaves of the wild type plants were dried out, as a result no wild type plants recovered after 8 days re-watering. Meanwhile, both mutant #2 and #5 plants recovered significantly after 8 days of re-watering. The wild type was tolerant compared to the two mutant lines. Protein content for mutant #2 plants was higher under both well-watered and drought-stress conditions but was not significantly different from mutant #5 plants compared to the wild type plants after 19 days of drought-stress conditions. Furthermore, genetic diversity was examined in all the Amaranthus lines using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Nineteen arbitrary RAPD markers were used of which two detected polymorphisms (OPA) 07 and OPA 16).

O processamento por radiação gama para beneficiamento de produtos tem se tornado uma tecnologia aceita mundialmente. Tem como aplicações a esterilização de produtos médicos, a irradiação de alimentos e produtos agrícolas, a modificação de materiais poliméricos e biomateriais, a preservação de objetos de patrimônio cultural, a esterilização de tecidos humanos para transplante, a mudança de cor em gemas, dentre outros. Desde 2004, o Irradiador Multipropósito de Cobalto-60 do Centro de Tecnologia das Radiações do IPEN tem sido utilizado no estudo e aperfeiçoamento dessas aplicações com objetivos de pesquisa e no estabelecimento de aplicações rotineiras. Este, embora concebido para trabalhar no modo contínuo de irradiação, é utilizado no modo estacionário mais indicado para irradiações de materiais delicados ou de pesquisa. Neste trabalho foram validadas e verificadas experimentalmente as adequações dos métodos à irradiação estacionária; bem como as interrupções para medição de doses em dosímetros de polimetilmetacrilato em processos fracionados, onde seu uso se mostrou adequado para taxas de dose maiores que 2kGy·h-1. A descrição do processo de carga das fontes mostra a importância do seu planejamento e seu impacto na distribuição de taxas de dose. Os mapeamentos das doses e taxas de dose permitiram localizar regiões de valores homogêneos e máximos. Foi estabelecido um procedimento de irradiação de tecidos para aloenxertia utilizando monitoração dosimétrica externa. Foram levantados os custos e despesas de irradiação, aplicáveis a instalações governamentais. O balanço energético da piscina de armazenamento das fontes permitiu calcular o fluxo de calor do sistema e definir as condições máximas de operação sem trocador de calor. / The gamma radiation processing is a well-accepted technology around the world. The mean applications are sterilization of medical products, irradiation of food and agriculture products, polymeric and biomaterials modification, Cultural Heritage objects preservation, humans tissues sterilization, gemstone colorization. Since 2004, the Multipurpose Gamma Irradiation Facility at the Radiation Technology Center of the Nuclear and Energy Research Institute has been used for improvement of research applications and for establishment of routine processes. Moreover, this equipment was developed to work in continuous irradiation mode; it has been used in stationary irradiation mode most of times - recommended to the irradiation of sensible materials. In this work, the applicability of the stationary irradiation methods were experimentally validated and verified. Results shown that absorbed dose measurements carried out with polymethyl methacrylate dosimeters in irradiation processes with interruption can be performed at dose rates upper 2kGy·h-1. Radioactive sources loading and installation processes have been documented showing the importance of planning, as well the impact in the dose rates distribution at the source racks. The dose and dose rate mapping allowed finding homogeneous and higher dose rates zones. A procedure for human tissues irradiation using only external dosimetry was established. The irradiation service costs and expenses related have been estimated, applicable particularly for government facilities. The energetic balance of the sources storage pool was carry out to evaluate the heat transfer conditions and limitations of the system.

A vasta gama de sistemas poliméricos classificados como blendas tem sido alvo crescente no meio acadêmico e científico. A possibilidade de obtenção de propriedades combinadas e múltiplas, associada a incorporações de blendas poliméricas, enriquece a condição de pesquisa abrindo assim uma extensa área de atuação. Neste trabalho foi proposto o estudo de mistura de composto de poli (cloreto de vinila) plastificado com resíduo de poli (vinil butiral), proveniente de laminados para produção de para-brisas da indústria automotiva, bem como a investigação do efeito da irradiação gama com dose absorvida de 25 kGy, 30 kGy e 40 kGy, controlado com uso de dosímetro de PMMA e taxa de dose equivalente de 0-10 kGy.h-1. Foram analisadas variações das propriedades mecânicas e térmicas das amostras antes e após exposição à radiação gama. As formulações foram constituídas em diferentes concentrações: composto de PVC-C, resíduo de PVB-R, PVC-C/PVB-R 90/10, PVC-C/PVB-R 50/50 e PVC-R/PVB-R 50/50. O composto de poli (cloreto de vinila) foi formulado e aditivado, apresentando comportamento de um elastômero termoplástico, produto flexível. Foram incorporadas aparas moídas de poli (vinil butiral), provenientes de laminados para produção de para-brisas. Ambos os materiais foram incorporados em extrusora granuladora tipo rosca simples e submetidos ao processo de calandragem para efetivação da mistura e formação de mantas plásticas. As mantas foram irradiadas em um reator multipropósito de 60Co e caracterizadas para verificação das propriedades mecânicas e térmicas. Para tanto, as blendas após exposição à radiação gama apresentaram propriedades mecânicas e térmicas intermediarias as propriedades dos seus componentes, mostrando-se um material resistente e de baixo custo. Por meio da microscopia eletrônica de varredura obteve uma redução nos vasos interfaciais mostrando um aumento na capacidade de percolação do PVB na matriz de PVC, favorecendo suas propriedades físicas. / The wide range of polymer systems classified as blends has been increasingly targeted in the academic and scientific milieu. The possibility of obtaining multiple and combined properties, combined with the incorporation of polymer blends, enriches the research condition, thus opening up an extensive area of performance. In this work the study of the poly (vinyl butyral) plasticized polyvinyl chloride mixture from laminates for automotive windshield production was investigated, as well as the investigation of the effect of gamma irradiation with absorbed dose of 25 kGy, 30 kGy and 40 kGy, controlled with use of PMMA dosimeter and equivalent dose rate of 0-10 kGy.h-1. Variations of the mechanical and thermal properties of the samples were analyzed before and after exposure to gamma radiation. The formulations were constituted in different concentrations: PVC-C compound, PVB-R residue, PVC-C/PVB-R 90/10, PVC-C/PVB-R 50/50 and PVC-R/PVB-R 50/50. The polyvinyl chloride compound was formulated and added, exhibiting the behavior of a thermoplastic elastomer, a flexible product. Poly (vinyl butyral) ground chips were produced from laminates for the production of windshields. Both materials were incorporated in a single-thread granulator extruder and submitted to the calendering process to effect the mixing and formation of plastic blankets. The blankets were irradiated in a 60Co multipurpose reactor and characterized for verification of mechanical and thermal properties. In order to do so, the blends after exposure to gamma radiation presented mechanical properties and intermediate thermal properties of their components, showing a resistant material and low cost. By means of the scanning electron microscopy it obtained a reduction in the interfacial vessels showing an increase in the percolation capacity of the PVB in the PVC matrix, favoring its physical properties.

Ce travail porte sur la formulation de nouveaux gels permettant de détecter visuellement par changement de couleur une contamination radioactive surfacique α ou γ. Un film mince de gel (< 1mm) est pulvérisé sur la paroi et est facilement récupéré après séchage. Des gels de gomme de xanthane transparents, viscoélastique et contenant des colorants radiosensibles ont été formulés. Des irradiations γ de colorants organiques et de complexe coloré Fer (II)- Xylénol orange dans des gels de silice et de xanthane ont été effectuées. Les mécanismes et les vitesses d'oxydation par radiolyse ont été précisés en fonction de la dose absorbée. Notamment, le xylénol orange et l'erioglaucine sont les deux colorants les plus radiosensibles. Le gel Fer (II)- Xylénol orange- Xanthane, noté FXX, a permis de révéler une tache contamination de 137Césium (émetteur γ d'activité0 = 20 KBq) au bout de 48 heures par oxydation du complexe coloré xylénol orange- Fe (II). Par ailleurs, ce même gel a permis de détecter une contamination surfacique de 239plutonium (émetteur α d'activité0 = 3720 Bq) au bout d'une journée.Pour la récupération après séchage, l'ajout de la silice dans le gel de xanthane a permis de mettre en évidence un résidu final qui délamine à faible concentration en silice ou qui fracture à une concentration élevée en silice. Enfin, l'ajout d'acide (> 2 M) a conduit à un séchage partiel du gel afin d'obtenir un film humide récupérable. / This work deals with the formulation of new gels to detect visually radioactive surface contamination α or γ by color changing. A thin gel film (<1mm) is sprayed onto the wall and is easily recovered after drying, Transparent, viscoelastic polymer xanthan gels and with radiosensitive dyes were selected.γ irradiation of organic dyes and colored complex Fe (II)- xylenol orange in silica and Xanthan gel were performed. Mechanisms and kinetics of oxidation by radiolysis were identified as a function of absorbed dose. The gel iron (II)-xylenol orange- Xanthane, noted FXX, revealed a spot of contamination by 137cesium (γ emitter of Activity0 = 20 KBq) after 48 hours by oxidation of the complex xylenol orange- ion (II). Moreover, the same gel detected a surface contamination by 239plutonium (transmitter Activity0 = 3720 Bq) after one day.For recovering after drying, the addition of silica to xanthan gel helped highlight a final dry residue delaminates at low concentration of silica or fracture at high silica concentration. However, the addition of acid (> 2 M) led to a partial drying of the gel giving a wet film recoverable.

O processamento por radiação gama para beneficiamento de produtos tem se tornado uma tecnologia aceita mundialmente. Tem como aplicações a esterilização de produtos médicos, a irradiação de alimentos e produtos agrícolas, a modificação de materiais poliméricos e biomateriais, a preservação de objetos de patrimônio cultural, a esterilização de tecidos humanos para transplante, a mudança de cor em gemas, dentre outros. Desde 2004, o Irradiador Multipropósito de Cobalto-60 do Centro de Tecnologia das Radiações do IPEN tem sido utilizado no estudo e aperfeiçoamento dessas aplicações com objetivos de pesquisa e no estabelecimento de aplicações rotineiras. Este, embora concebido para trabalhar no modo contínuo de irradiação, é utilizado no modo estacionário mais indicado para irradiações de materiais delicados ou de pesquisa. Neste trabalho foram validadas e verificadas experimentalmente as adequações dos métodos à irradiação estacionária; bem como as interrupções para medição de doses em dosímetros de polimetilmetacrilato em processos fracionados, onde seu uso se mostrou adequado para taxas de dose maiores que 2kGy·h-1. A descrição do processo de carga das fontes mostra a importância do seu planejamento e seu impacto na distribuição de taxas de dose. Os mapeamentos das doses e taxas de dose permitiram localizar regiões de valores homogêneos e máximos. Foi estabelecido um procedimento de irradiação de tecidos para aloenxertia utilizando monitoração dosimétrica externa. Foram levantados os custos e despesas de irradiação, aplicáveis a instalações governamentais. O balanço energético da piscina de armazenamento das fontes permitiu calcular o fluxo de calor do sistema e definir as condições máximas de operação sem trocador de calor. / The gamma radiation processing is a well-accepted technology around the world. The mean applications are sterilization of medical products, irradiation of food and agriculture products, polymeric and biomaterials modification, Cultural Heritage objects preservation, humans tissues sterilization, gemstone colorization. Since 2004, the Multipurpose Gamma Irradiation Facility at the Radiation Technology Center of the Nuclear and Energy Research Institute has been used for improvement of research applications and for establishment of routine processes. Moreover, this equipment was developed to work in continuous irradiation mode; it has been used in stationary irradiation mode most of times - recommended to the irradiation of sensible materials. In this work, the applicability of the stationary irradiation methods were experimentally validated and verified. Results shown that absorbed dose measurements carried out with polymethyl methacrylate dosimeters in irradiation processes with interruption can be performed at dose rates upper 2kGy·h-1. Radioactive sources loading and installation processes have been documented showing the importance of planning, as well the impact in the dose rates distribution at the source racks. The dose and dose rate mapping allowed finding homogeneous and higher dose rates zones. A procedure for human tissues irradiation using only external dosimetry was established. The irradiation service costs and expenses related have been estimated, applicable particularly for government facilities. The energetic balance of the sources storage pool was carry out to evaluate the heat transfer conditions and limitations of the system.

A vasta gama de sistemas poliméricos classificados como blendas tem sido alvo crescente no meio acadêmico e científico. A possibilidade de obtenção de propriedades combinadas e múltiplas, associada a incorporações de blendas poliméricas, enriquece a condição de pesquisa abrindo assim uma extensa área de atuação. Neste trabalho foi proposto o estudo de mistura de composto de poli (cloreto de vinila) plastificado com resíduo de poli (vinil butiral), proveniente de laminados para produção de para-brisas da indústria automotiva, bem como a investigação do efeito da irradiação gama com dose absorvida de 25 kGy, 30 kGy e 40 kGy, controlado com uso de dosímetro de PMMA e taxa de dose equivalente de 0-10 kGy.h-1. Foram analisadas variações das propriedades mecânicas e térmicas das amostras antes e após exposição à radiação gama. As formulações foram constituídas em diferentes concentrações: composto de PVC-C, resíduo de PVB-R, PVC-C/PVB-R 90/10, PVC-C/PVB-R 50/50 e PVC-R/PVB-R 50/50. O composto de poli (cloreto de vinila) foi formulado e aditivado, apresentando comportamento de um elastômero termoplástico, produto flexível. Foram incorporadas aparas moídas de poli (vinil butiral), provenientes de laminados para produção de para-brisas. Ambos os materiais foram incorporados em extrusora granuladora tipo rosca simples e submetidos ao processo de calandragem para efetivação da mistura e formação de mantas plásticas. As mantas foram irradiadas em um reator multipropósito de 60Co e caracterizadas para verificação das propriedades mecânicas e térmicas. Para tanto, as blendas após exposição à radiação gama apresentaram propriedades mecânicas e térmicas intermediarias as propriedades dos seus componentes, mostrando-se um material resistente e de baixo custo. Por meio da microscopia eletrônica de varredura obteve uma redução nos vasos interfaciais mostrando um aumento na capacidade de percolação do PVB na matriz de PVC, favorecendo suas propriedades físicas. / The wide range of polymer systems classified as blends has been increasingly targeted in the academic and scientific milieu. The possibility of obtaining multiple and combined properties, combined with the incorporation of polymer blends, enriches the research condition, thus opening up an extensive area of performance. In this work the study of the poly (vinyl butyral) plasticized polyvinyl chloride mixture from laminates for automotive windshield production was investigated, as well as the investigation of the effect of gamma irradiation with absorbed dose of 25 kGy, 30 kGy and 40 kGy, controlled with use of PMMA dosimeter and equivalent dose rate of 0-10 kGy.h-1. Variations of the mechanical and thermal properties of the samples were analyzed before and after exposure to gamma radiation. The formulations were constituted in different concentrations: PVC-C compound, PVB-R residue, PVC-C/PVB-R 90/10, PVC-C/PVB-R 50/50 and PVC-R/PVB-R 50/50. The polyvinyl chloride compound was formulated and added, exhibiting the behavior of a thermoplastic elastomer, a flexible product. Poly (vinyl butyral) ground chips were produced from laminates for the production of windshields. Both materials were incorporated in a single-thread granulator extruder and submitted to the calendering process to effect the mixing and formation of plastic blankets. The blankets were irradiated in a 60Co multipurpose reactor and characterized for verification of mechanical and thermal properties. In order to do so, the blends after exposure to gamma radiation presented mechanical properties and intermediate thermal properties of their components, showing a resistant material and low cost. By means of the scanning electron microscopy it obtained a reduction in the interfacial vessels showing an increase in the percolation capacity of the PVB in the PVC matrix, favoring its physical properties.

Improving the functionality and reducing revision rates are important driving forces in the development of orthopaedic implants. FibMat is a fibrinogen based matrix developed towards commercialisation by the company Optovent AB. This matrix can be coated on implants and act as a local drug delivery system for bisphosphonates (BPs). BPs are drugs inhibiting bone resorption, and applied with FibMat to improve stability of implants in bone, e.g. when fixing bone fractures. In this thesis, FibMat loaded with BP (FibMat/BP) was coated on stainless-steel screws and titanium screws in order to investigate some technology properties relevant to its clinical applicability. Bone-mimicking materials were used to study scrape-off effect upon insertion. The coagulation properties of fibrinogen as well as the structural properties of BPs were studied after exposure to gamma radiation. The screws were coated with FibMat and BP (alendronate and 14C-alendronate) using standard coupling techniques. The total amount and distribution of BP after insertion was measured by liquid scintillation and autoradiography. Coagulation assays were performed in order to determine the coagulation properties of fibrinogen, exposed to doses up to 35 kGy, mixed with thrombin. The structural properties of four different BPs (alendronate, pamidronate, zoledronate and ibandronate), exposed to doses up to 35 kGy were analysed by transmission infrared spectroscopy. The results show that FibMat/BP coating on porous stainless-steel screws is virtually unaffected by insertion into bone materials. The anodised, planar titanium screws are more affected by the insertion process, but an even BP distribution in the cancellous material is indicated. The coagulation assays show that gamma-irradiated fibrinogen has a slower coagulation process compared to non-irradiated fibrinogen and form interrupted network unable to clot. The chemical structures of the BPs seem unaffected by exposure to gamma irradiation. In conclusion, the FibMat/BP is a promising technology for local distribution of BP in conjunction with bone implants.

<p>Improving the functionality and reducing revision rates are important driving forces in the development of orthopaedic implants. FibMat is a fibrinogen based matrix developed towards commercialisation by the company Optovent AB. This matrix can be coated on implants and act as a local drug delivery system for bisphosphonates (BPs). BPs are drugs inhibiting bone resorption, and applied with FibMat to improve stability of implants in bone, e.g. when fixing bone fractures. In this thesis, FibMat loaded with BP (FibMat/BP) was coated on stainless-steel screws and titanium screws in order to investigate some technology properties relevant to its clinical applicability. Bone-mimicking materials were used to study scrape-off effect upon insertion. The coagulation properties of fibrinogen as well as the structural properties of BPs were studied after exposure to gamma radiation.</p><p>The screws were coated with FibMat and BP (alendronate and 14C-alendronate) using standard coupling techniques. The total amount and distribution of BP after insertion was measured by liquid scintillation and autoradiography. Coagulation assays were performed in order to determine the coagulation properties of fibrinogen, exposed to doses up to 35 kGy, mixed with thrombin. The structural properties of four different BPs (alendronate, pamidronate, zoledronate and ibandronate), exposed to doses up to 35 kGy were analysed by transmission infrared spectroscopy.</p><p>The results show that FibMat/BP coating on porous stainless-steel screws is virtually unaffected by insertion into bone materials. The anodised, planar titanium screws are more affected by the insertion process, but an even BP distribution in the cancellous material is indicated. The coagulation assays show that gamma-irradiated fibrinogen has a slower coagulation process compared to non-irradiated fibrinogen and form interrupted network unable to clot. The chemical structures of the BPs seem unaffected by exposure to gamma irradiation. In conclusion, the FibMat/BP is a promising technology for local distribution of BP in conjunction with bone implants.</p>