Evaluation of the resistance of Euglena gracilis to ion beam radiation

Abstract

The resistance of Euglena (E.) gracilis to ionizing radiation was investigated using seven kinds of ion beams each with different energy characteristics. The minimum effective dose of the most lethal ion beams was 40 Gy. Given its substantially high resistance to heavy ion beams, E. gracilis possesses great potential in acting as an effective support system to produce food and regenerate oxygen in a space station. The lethal effect of ionizing radiation was dependent on the linear energy transfer value of the heavy ion beams, and reached a maximum at 196 keV/μm. This value was different from those obtained by previous irradiation experiments using mammalian and plant cells, suggesting that the radiation response of E. gracilis is distinct from that of mammalian and plant cells.