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How can electron beams from accelerators sterilize biological materials?

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Diagram of a linear proton resonance accelerator, or linac, showing protons entering from a source, passing through a series of labeled drift tubes powered by a radio-frequency source, and exiting as a beam through a cavity. — particle accelerator The accelerator is a large-diameter tube within which an electric field oscillates at a high radio frequency. Within the accelerator tube are smaller diameter metallic drift tubes, which are carefully sized and spaced to shield the protons from decelerating oscillations of the electric field. In the spaces between the drift tubes, the electric field is oriented properly to accelerate the protons in their direction of travel.

Electron beams from particle accelerators sterilize biological materials by utilizing ionizing radiation to disrupt molecular structures.12

When these high-speed electron beams pass through a material, they possess sufficient energy to break chemical bonds and ionize molecules. This process is directly ionizing, meaning the particles cause immediate disruption to the atomic or molecular structure of the target tissue or material. A primary mechanism of this sterilization is the ability of the radiation to cause breaks in the double-stranded DNA molecules within the nuclei of cells. By damaging the DNA, the radiation prevents microorganisms from replicating, effectively killing them and rendering the material sterile.31

This method is highly effective for industrial applications, such as the processing of medical supplies, because it does not induce radioactivity in the treated items. Furthermore, because electron accelerators can be turned off, they offer a safe, reliable alternative to radioactive sources for sterilization and other forms of radiation processing.24