The radiation sterilization of gelatin contaminated with 4×10

3

to 4×10

6

bacteria pel gram was investigated with electron beam from a JJ-2 accelerator. After treatment with the doses of 3—4 kGy

the initial microbial counts in the gelatin could be approximately reduced by two orders of magnitude and the coliform was substantively killed at the same time. The viscosities

transparencies and major gelatin compositions of the irradiated gelatin (with doses of 1.5—10 kGy) and the control sample were determined. The results show that the viscosity of the gelatin solution decreases gradually with the increase of the irradiation doses

the irradiation degradation of the gelatin molecules can not be decreased under the condition of nitrogen atomosphere or lower irradiation temperature

and the amino acid contents of the gelatin irradiated do not undergo any marked change in com-parison with the control sample except for cystine.