Lyoluminescent properties of mannose, glucose monohydrate, sucrose and trehalose dihydrate were investigated from the point of view of suitability as dosimetric materials in a new system of solid state dosimetry. Distilled water was used as a solvent. With a reader equipped with an uncooled PM tube it was possible to measure doses of X- and gamma -rays in the range from a few rad to about 100 krad. Various experimental factors which could affect the dose measurements using lyoluminescence are discussed, including the energy response for X-rays. Some preliminary information on the response of saccharides to fast neutrons is also included.