Attenuation Properties of DNA Nucleobases Against Nuclear Radiation Using EpiXS, Py-MLBUF, and NGCal Software

G.B. Hirematha, V.P. Singhb, P.N. Patila, c, N.H. Ayachita, N.M. Badigera aSchool of Advanced Sciences, KLE Technological University, 580031, Hubbali, India bDepartment of Physics, Karnatak University, 580003, Dharwad, India cRadiation Safety and Systems Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, 400085, Mumbai, India

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In this study, the gamma and neutron interaction parameters of deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid nucleobases such as adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, and uracil were estimated and compared to those of water. The present calculated mass attenuation coefficient values of deoxyribonucleic acid nucleobases were compared with available simulation code values. From the data, it is observed that guanine has the highest linear attenuation coefficient values among the nucleobases and water in the energy region from 0.015 to 15 MeV. Uracil has a higher effective atomic number and equivalent atomic number values than other nucleobases in the energy region from 0.015 to 15 MeV. Among the nucleobases, uracil has lower buildup factor values, up to 200 keV. However, up to 200 keV, uracil has higher buildup factor values than water. The mass attenuation factor values for nucleobases are listed in the following order: thymine > cytosine > adenine > uracil > guanine. It has been discovered that as the mass attenuation factor increases, the hydrogen wt% of nucleobases also increases.

DOI:10.12693/APhysPolA.145.208 topics: radiation, DNA, attenuation, buildup factor