A study of the developmental changes in trace elements and minerals in rat and mouse milk by thermal neutron activation analysis

The variations in concentrations of 12 elements (Na, Mg, Cl, K, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, I and Cs) were investigated by thermal neutron activation analysis. Variation patterns were given in their concentration with the progression of lactation day: (1) a constant level without significant variations in time; (2) a progressive depletion throughout lactation; (3) a rapid decrease in the early stage of lactation, which does not continue significantly during late lactation; (4) an initial increase in the early stage of lactation followed by decrease in concentration levels. The behaviours in concentrations of Mg, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, I and Cs are similar in both rat and mouse milks. Different patterns between both milks were observed in the concentrations of Na, Cl, K, Br and Rb, and those of these elements including Mg and I seemed to be influenced by maternal dietary intakes.     

A study of the postnatal change in trace element levels in rat tissues by thermal neutron activation analysis

In order to obtain information about postnatal changes in trace element levels in rat tissues, the age-dependent variations in the concentrations of 6 elements (Fe, Zn, Co, Se, Rb and Cs) were investigated by thermal neutron activation analysis. Several variation patterns were revealed in their concentrations as a function of postnatal age, depending on the combination of an element and an organ: (1) A steady state without significant variations (Zn and Se in brain, Rb and Cs in liver), (2) accumulation till a steady level is attained in time (Se in liver and kidney, Co in kidney), (3) depletion till a steady level is attained in time (Fe and Co in brain, Zn in liver and kidney, Rb and Cs in kidney), (4) permanent depletion (Rb and Cs in brain), and 95) initial drop followed by gradual increase in concentration levels (Fe in liver and kidney, Co in liver)     

Nutrients and other elements in honey from Azores and mainland Portugal

The present study aims the identification and quantification of trace elements in samples of honey from the Azores and the Portuguese mainland. Elemental concentrations were determined for Al, Br, Cl, Cs, Cu, Eu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, and Zn. Some of these elements are essential dietary nutrients for humans. The essential elements, K and to a lesser extent Na and Cl were the most abundant in the honey samples. However, overall, the elemental content was very low, inferior to the recommended allowances for daily dietary intake (DDI), with the exception of Na whose concentration exceeded that of the recommended DDI. The results of the present investigation and data reported for other countries compare well. The honeys correlate much better when they are from Azores or from Portugal mainland, however, some good correlations were found between honeys from the islands and the mainland. The color of the honey, which depends of the flower-source, could have a role in the differences and similarities between the different honeys as suggested by the cluster analysis of the data. The correlation between honey, soil, tree bark and lichens, all collected in Azores, was poor.     

The distribution of trace elements in normal human liver determined by semi-automated radiochemical neutron activation analysis

The eight segments of five normal human livers are analysed for 25 trace elements by radiochemical NAA. This consits of an automated wet destruction of the samples and two distillations, followed by ion exchange procedures. Ru is used as triple-comparator for the standardisation. Short-lived and matrix-isotopes are standardised by the Bowen's kale powder. The results reveal that the coefficient of variation within the liver is smaller than 10% for the elements Cd, Cl, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Rb, Se and Zn. The highest range observed for the elements As, Br, Co, Cr, Hg, La, Mo, Na and Sb within a liver is smaller than the range observed between the five livers.     

Egyptian and foreign cigarettes

Neutron activation analysis has been employed to determine the concentration of 27 elements in an Egyptian cigarette filter before and after smoking. The filter of three foreign cigarette brands are also analyzed and compared to the Egyptian brand. The elements determined are Al, As, Ba, Br, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Th, Ti, V and Zn. It is observed that the concentration of the measured elements in the Egyptian brand are within the concentration range of foreign brands, and that the concentration of As, Br, Cl, K, Na and Se in the filters are increased after smoking regardless the brand examined.     

Activation analysis methods and applications

Summary Rib bones of Brazilian people were analyzed by neutron activation analysis to evaluate element composition. Freeze-dried cortical and trabecular tissues, separately, and calcinated total rib tissues were analyzed. The concentrations of the Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Sr, and Zn elements were determined. Comparisons between the results obtained in cortical and trabecular bones indicated significant differences in the concentration for several elements. Results obtained in cortical and trabecular bones were also compared with literature values.     

Determination of trace elements in tea leaves by neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis has been employed to determine 14 trace elements in two brands of Iranian and foreign tea. The elements are: Br, La, Ba, K, Mn, Cl, Cr, Cs, Rb, Fe, Co, Zn, Sc and Au. The transference ratio of the elements into solution, when tea is leached by percolation, is also reported. It was found that some elements are totally transferred into solution and some are partially retained by the leaves.     

Distribution of some elements in human hair and internal organs,determined by neutron activation analysis

Twenty four male autopsies were obtained from Shanghai, China. The samples of liver, lung, kidney cortex, brain and scalp hair were collected from the autopsies. The elements As, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, S, Se and Zn were determined by neutron activation analysis (NAA). The present study shows the distribution of the elements in different tissues and provides the element level for normal persons in the local area. In general, the results are comparable with those of other countries.     

Preliminary study of trace elements in human brain tumor tissues by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Elemental profiles of brain tumor tissues from 15 patients of astrocytomas (grade I–III) and normal human brain tissues of 23 male age matched autopsies as controls have been studied by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The SLOWPOKE reactor with a thermal neutron flux of 8·10¹¹n·cm^–2·s^–1 and swimming pool type reactor with a thermal neutron flux of 1·10¹³n·cm^–2·s^–1 were used for short and long irradiation of samples, respectively. Spectrophotometry was only used for analyzing phosphorus. A total of 18 elements Se, Na, K, Br, Cl, Mn, Mg, S, Ca, Cu, Hg, Cr, Fe, Rb, Zn, Co, Sc and P has been determined for this purpose. The reliability of methods has been checked by analyzing biological standard reference materials horse kidney (IAEA H-8) and bovine liver (NBS SRM 1577a). The analytical results showed that compared with the normal brain tissues, concentrations of Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, Br and Sc were significantly higher in tumor tissues (P<0.01) and concentrations of Rb, K and P were lower, while no differences for contents of Mg, S, Cr, Hg, Na and Cl were observed. A negative correlation between P and Ca in malignant and normal brain tissues was observed.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis for multi-elemental determination in Indian tea samples

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was employed to determine concentrations of 19 elements (As, Ba, Br, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, La, Mn, Na, Nd, Rb, Sc, Sm, Th, Yb and Zn) in a large number (55) of tea samples (from market as well as virgin tea leaves) from different locations in India (Assam, Darjeeling, Munnar and Kangra). The results obtained in the present work are compared with those reported in literature. The concentration levels, their variations with collection locations and the correlations among different elements in these samples are discussed.     

Trace element content of some Polish hard and brown coals

Instrumental neutron activation analysis /INAA/ method was applied to measure major, minor and trace elements in 34 samples of hard and brown coal originating from eight Polish coal mines. The elemental concentrations of 38 elements /Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Lu, W, Au and Th/ are presented and compared with published data for coals from various origin. Enrichment factors, calculated relative to iron and the average crustal rock composition, indicated that several elements are highly enriched in Polish coals.     

Characterization of Brazilian commercial milks by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Aiming at the determination of toxic and essential elements in Brazilian commercial bovine milk, 25 ultra high temperature (UHT) milk samples were acquired in the local market of Piracicaba, SP. The samples were freeze-dried and analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) allowing the determination of Br, Ca, Co, Cs, Fe, K, Na, Rb and Zn. When the results were expressed as concentration (mg·l⁻¹) no significant differences were found. However, considering the dry matter, results showed a clear difference between the mass fractions (mg·kg⁻¹ d.w.) of skim milk and whole milk for the elements Br, Ca, K, Na, Rb and Zn, indicating that the removal of fat caused a concentration effect in the dry matter of skim milks. Discrepancies were found between the concentrations of Ca and Na measured by INAA and the values informed in the labels. Ca showed variations within 30% for most samples, while concentrations of Na were up to 190% higher than informed values. The sample preparation and the INAA procedure were appropriate for the determination of Br, Ca, Co, Cs, Fe, K, Na, Rb and Zn in milk samples.     

Elemental analysis of Korean women’s blood serums using instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to assess the concentration of the inorganic trace elements in Korean women’s blood serums. It was found that a high concentration of Na and Cl incurs an analytical interference, but the 12 elements such as Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, Na, Rb, Se and Zn could be determined under the condition of an interference minimization. Serum samples collected from 63 women were analyzed and the concentration level and range of the elements were evaluated. NIST SRMs were analyzed simultaneously for quality control. The average values of the Na and Cl determined in the serum samples were 3,365 and 3,533 mg/l, Ca was 96.4 mg/l and K was 191 mg/l. Besides, Br, Se and Zn have a concentration level of 6.46, 0.13 and 0.98 mg/l, respectively. It was found that there is no significant difference between the present values and the reported values.     

Preparation of the bovine liver 12-02-01 reference material and the certification of element contents from an interlaboratory comparison

Summary The preparation of the bovine liver 12-02-01 reference material, its stabilization and homogeneity testing is presented. Evaluation of an interlaboratory comparison in which 31 laboratories took part using several analytical methods is described. From the results of the intercomparison, the contents of the elements Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn were certified, while for the elements Br, Co, Fe, K, Mo, Na, and Rb, information values were derived. Non-recommended values for the elements Ag, As, Ca, Cl, Cr, Cs, La, Mg, S, Sb, Sn, Sr, and V were also evaluated.Denoted as CZIM-liver in the report [23]     

Investigations on the direct introduction of cigarette smoke for trace elements analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Direct introduction of mainstream cigarette smoke into an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been investigated with respect to its feasibility for on-line analysis of trace elements. An automated apparatus was designed and built interfacing a smoking machine with an ICP-MS for smoke generation, collection, injection and analysis. Major and minor elements present in the particulate phase and the gas phase of mainstream cigarette smoke of 2R4F reference cigarettes have been qualitatively identified by examination of their full mass spectra. This method provides a rapid-screening analysis of the transfer of trace elements into mainstream smoke during cigarette combustion. A full suite of elements present in the whole cigarette smoke has been identified, including As, B, Ba, Br, Cd, Cl, Cs, Cu, Hg, I, K, Li, Mn, Na, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sn, Tl and Zn. Of these elements, the major portions of B, Ba, Cs, Cu, K, Li, Mn, Na, Pb, Rb, Sn, Tl and Zn are present in the particulate phase, whereas the major portion of Hg is present in the gas phase. As, Br, Cd, Cl, I and Sb exist in a distribution between the gas phase and the particulate phase. Depending on the element, the precision of measurement ranges from 5 to 25% in terms of relative standard deviation of peak height and peak area, based on the fourth puff of 2R4F mainstream cigarette smoke analyzed in five smoking replicates.     

Findings of national proficiency test exercise for the determination of trace elements in edible mushroom reference material

This paper presents the results of the proficiency test exercise conducted in Pakistan for the determination of trace elements in mushroom reference material. Thirteen laboratories from different organizations of the country submitted trace elemental data on Al, As, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, Rb Sc, Si, Sm, Sr, Th, Zn. Results for Al, As, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb Sc, and Zn, in the mushroom material were reported by two or more participating laboratories and could be subjected to statistical evaluation. The original data of these trace elements was subjected to a computer program “Histo Version 2.1” provided by IAEA. The four outlier tests, i.e., Dixon, Grubbs, skewness and kurtosis were applied to the data sets. Consensus (overall) mean values, absolute standard deviation, relative standard deviation, standard error, median and range of values for these elements have been reported at a significance level of 0.05.     

Possibilities of the short-term thermal and epithermal neutron activation for analysis of macromycetes (mushrooms)

Summary Fruitbodies of wild-growing macromycetes (mushrooms) of various genera and species collected in localities with different geochemical features and man-made burden in the Czech Republic were analyzed using the short-term instrumental neutron activation, with both thermal and epithermal neutrons. Analytical possibilities of these methods were compared. Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, V, Mn, Cu, and Br were determined regularly, whereas S, Ti, Rb, Cs, Ba, and Dy were determined occasionally with thermal neutron activation at irradiation-decay-counting times mode of 1-10-10 minutes. Because of high concentration of K and P in the macromycete dry matter (2-7% and 0.5-1%, respectively) and also high Cl concentration in some genera (up to 2.5%), all “1/v” absorbers, epithermal neutron activation in Cd box (1 mm thick wall) substantially suppresses their macroactivities and enhances sensitivity in the determination of elements with significant resonance integrals. Cu, Se, Rb, Ag, Hf, and sometimes Ba are determinable in the mode of 60-30-60 seconds, while K, Cu, As, Br, Rb, In, I, U (in some species also Co, Zn, Cs, Ba, and Hg) in the mode of 1-13-13 minutes. However, Na, Mg, Al, Cl, and Mn determination is not possible this way, as the (n,p) and (n,α) interfering reactions with fast neutrons and high K, P, and other interfering elements content make great interference contributions. Information about content of the essential and toxic elements in mushrooms is important in nutritional studies, because mushrooms form a non-negligible part of diet in many countries.     

Organic coffee discrimination with INAA and data mining/KDD techniques: new perspectives for coffee trade

Samples of green coffee (Coffea arabica) produced in the crop year 1999/2000 in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, were analyzed for the elements Al, Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, S, Sc, and Zn using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), in an attempt to establish fingerprints of organically grown coffee. Using data mining/KDD techniques the elements Br, Ca, Cs, Co, Mn, and Rb were found to be suited as markers for discrimination of organic from conventional coffees. Received: 12 April 2002 Accepted: 31 July 2002 Acknowledgments The authors wish to thank the financial support supplied by FAPESP and CNPq; and TUDelft for granting a research fellowship to Mr. Tagliaferro. Thanks are also given to MINASCOFFEE for supplying the coffee samples, and to an anonymous referee for valuable comments.     

Multielement analysis of green coffee and its possible use for the determination of origin

Using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and combustion elemental analysis, green coffees of the Arabica species produced in crop year 1987/88 in Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá and Papua New Guinea were analysed for the elements Ba, Br, C, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Cs, Fe, H, K, La, Mg, Mn, N, Na, Rb, Sc, Sr and Zn. In accordance with the concentrations determined, the elements could be ranked into five groups: Sc (sub-ppb level); Br, Co, Cr, Cs and La (ppb level); Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, Rb, Sr and Zn (ppm level); Ca and Mg (%o level); and C, H, K and N (% level). On the basis of the results obtained, an attempt was made to establish the origin of the green coffee via its elemental composition. Among the investigated elements, manganese was found to be best suited as an indicator for this purpose. However, the elements C, Co, Cs, Na and Rb proved to be of interest too.     

Analysis of lichen species for atmospheric pollution biomonitoring in the Santo André municipality,São Paulo,Brazil

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was applied for the determination of trace elements in Canoparmelia texana species collected mnonpolluted areas of Atlantic Forest and in six sites of Santo André Municipality, SP, Brazil. Concentrations of As, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Cr, Cs, Co, Fe, K, La, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, U, and Zn were determined and comparisons were made between the results obtained in lichens from different sites.