Terminally sterilized demineralized bone material (DBM) and systems and methods for protecting DBM against damage caused by terminal irradiation are described. A method includes providing the DBM, which includes at least a collagen matrix and natural, non-collagenous protein. The DBM is soaked in a mixture of glycerol and a solvent to remove and replace water in the collagen matrix of the DBM. The DBM is dried, after soaking, to form a protected DBM.
