Trace elements in Variegated Bolete (Suillus variegatus) fungi

Metallic elements such as Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, and Zn were determined using ICP-OES in a representative set of fifteen fruiting bodies of the edible fungus Suillus variegatus. Fruiting bodies were collected from unpolluted areas near the village of Lubichowo of the Bory Tucholskie forest complex in northern Poland in 2007?C2008. The caps were richer in Ag, Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Mg, Ni, Rb, and Zn, and the stipes in Ba, Ca, Mn, Na, Pb, and Sr. Cobalt concentration in the caps and stipes was similar. In the caps, the content of the elements decreased in the order (mg per kg of dry weight): K 29000 ± 3700, Fe 1600 ± 80, Mg 990 ± 110, Rb 320 ± 86, Zn 90 ± 19, Ca 75 ± 34, Al 68 ± 32, Na 40 ± 18, Cu 19 ± 7, Mn 13 ± 7, Cd 1.0 ± 0.5, Ni 0.64 ± 0.32, Ag 0.40 ± 0.20, Cr 0.33 ± 0.06, Pb 0.20 ± 0.17, Ba 0.19 ± 0.11, Sr 0.15 ± 0.09, and Co 0.070 ± 0.050. Apparently, S. variegatus collected from background areas are relatively low in Pb and Cd and so are suitable for human consumption.     

Characterization of Indian cigarette tobacco and its smoke aerosol by nuclear and allied techniques

Forty brands of tobacco used in Indian cigarettes, 20 brands of bidis (tobacco rolled in wrapper leaves), 15 brands of chewing tobacco and 15 brands of snuff tobacco were analyzed by nuclear and allied techniques. The elements measured into tobacco can be grouped into seven categories from less than 1 ppm to 5% by weight. Concentration level varied from 0.5-5% for (Ca, K, Cl), 400-1500 ppm (Fe), 200-600 ppm (Na), 100-300 ppm (Ti, Mn, Br and Sr), 10-100 ppm (Cu, Zn and Rb), 1-10 ppm (Cr, Ni, Pb and La) and less than 1 ppm (As, Co, Cd, Sb, Hg and Eu). Among the above elements Cr, Ni, As, Cd, Pb, Hg and Sb are considered toxic. The percentage transfer of the elements from cigarette tobacco to smoke particles during smoking was also estimated using a smoking machine and collecting the smoke particles on a filter paper. The results show that Br, Cr, Sb and Zn have high percentage transfer from tobacco to its smoke of the order of 2-15%. Out of these Sb has the highest 15%. Cobalt, Fe and Sc have lowest percentage of transfer of the order of less than 1%. The percent transfer of these elements from tobacco to tobacco smoke is higher in case of bidis (1.5-3.0 times) as compared to cigarettes. In cigarettes also non-filter cigarettes have higher transfer (2-3 times) as compared to filter tip cigarettes.     

藏药材白花龙胆花中微量元素的分析

对藏药材白花龙胆花中17种微量元素（Cu、Zn、Fe、Mn、Co、Ni、Se、Cr、Mg、Ca、K、Na、P、As、Hg、Pb、Cd）的含量作了测定。结果表明,白花龙胆花中含有较高的人体必需微量元素和常量元素,其中常量元素K、Ca、Na、Mg和微量元素Zn、Fe、Mn的含量均较高。     

Comparison of nondestructive proton and neutron activation: The case of biological samples

The capabilities of reactor neutron and 12 MeV proton activation were evaluted on samples of orchard leaves, beef liver and bovine liver. Based on γ-ray spectrometry, As, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mo, Pb, Sr, Ti, Zn and Zr at levels ranging from 2 to 20 900 ppm were detected following proton activation of 1 hour. Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Cu, Mg, Mn, Rb and V (ranging from 0.4 to 20 900 ppm) were measured by neutron activation (1 min irradiation). As, Ba, Br, Cr, Co, Fe, Hg, La, Na, Rb, Sb and Zn (ranging from 0.2 to 2400 ppm) were determined following a 14 h neutron irradiation. Although covering different elements, the two techniques are comparable in their scope, i. e. detection limits that can be achieved and number of elements that can be detected simultaneously.     

Summary of preparation and homogeneity characterization of ten agricultural food reference materials for elemental composition

Summary Preparation and development has been completed of ten agricultural/food reference materials (RMs): bovine muscle powder, corn starch, hard red spring wheat flour, soft winter wheat flour, whole milk powder, wheat gluten, corn bran, durum wheat flour, whole egg powder and microcrystalline cellulose. Homogeneity tests for 14 elements, Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn were performed by the initiating laboratories by application of precise and reliable analytical methods based on flame atomic absorption spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. An extensive set of analytical results obtained from the interlaboratory cooperative characterization campaign was assessed to provide homogeneity estimates for other elements. Estimates of homogeneity from within-laboratory precision indicated that all materials exhibited acceptable homogeneity for virtually all 29 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Sr, V, Zn) for which best estimate concentration values are available. Two thirds of all homogeneity coefficients of variation were below 5%.     

Senio river ecosystem: characterization and distribution of inorganic species in water and sediments

Analytical results are reported for the determination of inorganic species in water and sediments sampled in the Senio river ecosystem. The species determined are Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn, Hg, F-, Cl-, Br, NO3-, SO4-, Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++, NH4+ in integrated water, and Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn, Hg in sediments. For all the elements, in addition to detection limits, precision and accuracy are given: the former, expressed as relative standard deviation (sr), and the latter, expressed as relative error (e), were good, being in all cases lower than 6%. Limitedly to Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn a critical comparison with voltammetric measurements is also discussed.     

Determination of trace elements of some Egyptian crops by instrumental neutron activation,inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometric and flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used for the determination of Al, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Ti, Th, V and Zn, ICP-AES for the determination Al, Ag, Ba, Be, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Sc, Sr, Ti, V and Zn and flameless AAS for the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in egg plant, potatoes, green pepper (Leguminosae), vegetable marrow (Cucurbitaceae), pears, apple (Rosaceae), castor oil plant (Euphorbiaceae), lettuce (compositae), dill, parsley, coriander (Umbelliferae), and in some soil samples collected from Aswan province.     

A trace element study of commercial infant milk and cereal formulas

Three commercial infant milk formulas, one commercial infant cereal formula and one locally grown cereal used for infant feeding in Nigeria were analyzed for 17 trace elements, viz: Al, As, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Se and Zn. The commercial milk formulas contain adequate amounts of Ca, Cl, Co, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na and Zn, the locally grown cereal contains adequate amounts of Co, K, Mg, Mn and Zn and low in Ca, Cl, Fe and Na while the commercial cereal has adequate amounts of Ca, Cl, Co, K, Mg, Na and Zn. None of the samples analyzed was found to contain any elements up to threshold toxicity limits of concentrations.     

Trace element distribution in geochemical environment of the island Krk and its influence on the local population

Samples of soil, plant material and water collected on the Croatian island Krk in northern Adriatic sea were analyzed for a number of elements (Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Pb) by using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) as an analytical tool. Some of these data have been previously used to produce geochemical map of the island.¹ In addition, trace element contents of hair from children, attending elementary and secondary schools, has been investigated using the same analytical method for Mg, S, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Hg and Pb elements. Concentrations of the twelve elements and nine variables from the questionnaire, i.e., age, sex, living place, transportation, medication, hair colour, hair type, type of shampoo used and hair treatment, were considered in the statistical analysis. The observed differences for the seven island's communes have also been discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Trace Elements in Pleurotus Ostreatus,P. Eryngii,and P. Nebrodensis Mushrooms Cultivated on Various Agricultural By-Products

Abstract

Mushrooms are efficient accumulators of essential and toxic elements. Although oyster (Pleurotus spp.) mushrooms are widely commercialized and consumed, few data exist regarding trace elements content and bioaccumulation in cultivated P. ostreatus and P. eryngii, while no data are available for P. nebrodensis. The contents of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, and Zn were monitored using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic emission spectrometry (AES) in P. ostreatus, P. eryngii, and P. nebrodensis mushrooms and their cultivation substrates that include wheat straw (WHS), grape marc (GMC), olive leaves (OLV), and two-phase olive mill wastes (OMW), separately or in mixtures. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) less than 0.3 were obtained for Al, Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and V; BAFs exceeding 1 for K?>?Zn?>?Cd?>?Cr?>?Rb?>?As, while the BAFs for Na were less 0.7. Mushrooms grown on OLV and OMW presented lower BAFs than those grown on WHS and GMC for all elements except for K, Cd, and Cu. P. ostreatus was an effective accumulator for Cr, Fe, and Zn; P. eryngii for Al, Cs, Ni, and V; and P. nebrodensis for As and Cd. The estimated daily intakes (μg kg^?1 body weight) from mushroom consumption were less than 0.010 for As, Cd, Co, Cs, Pb, and V, 0.010–0.10 for Ba, Cr, Ni, and Sr, 0.10–5.0 for Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Rb, and Zn, 65–83 for Na, and 858–1030 for K. Overall, the mushrooms studied provide significant amounts of K, adequate amounts of Mn and Zn and low amounts of Na and toxic elements.     

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.     

Essential and trace element contents of some Nigerian medicinal plants

The energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy has been used for the determination of essential and trace elements" contents of some twenty Nigerian medicinal plants. The accuracy and precision of the technique were assured by analyzing the European Community Bureau Reference Standard BCR 62 (Olive Leaves). Fourteen elements, namely K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sr were detected with toxic heavy metal such as Cd, As, Pb, Hg were detected in the samples. The ranges of elemental concentrations varied from 7.7^.10⁴ to 1.6 mg/kg in the herbs. The results show that many of these plants contain elements of vital importance for human metabolism and prevention and healing of diseases.     

Preparation of the Bovine Kidney and Bovine Muscle reference materials and the certification of element contents from interlaboratory comparisons

Results obtained in interlaboratory comparisons on candidate reference materials Bovine Kidney and Bovine Muscle, in which more than 32 laboratories participated employing atomic spectrometry, electrochemical, and nuclear analytical techniques, have been evaluated using combined statistical and analytical considerations. Certified and/or information values for the elements Br, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Pb, Rb, Se, and Zn have been established. Information on contents of the elements Al, As, Au, Cs, Li, Ni, Sb, Sn, Sr, and V is also presented.     

Preparation and homogeneity characterization of ten agricultural/food reference materials for elemental composition

Summary Ten agricultural/food reference materials (RM): bovine muscle powder, corn starch, hard red spring wheat flour, soft winter wheat flour, whole milk powder, wheat gluten, corn bran, Durum wheat flour, whole egg powder and microcystalline cellulose, were prepared by milling, irradiation, sieving, blending and packaging procedures. Homogeneity tests for 14 elements in randomly selected units were performed by the initiating laboratories by application of various analytical methods. Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr and Zn were determined by acid digestion flame atomic absorption spectrometry, and Cd, Co, Ni and Pb using acid digestion graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after separation/preconcentration of the analytes by co-precipitation. In addition, the extensive set of analytical results obtained from the interlaboratory cooperative characterization campaign was assessed to provide homogeneity estimates for other elements. Measures of homogeneity were estimated from the within-laboratory precision from the more precise laboratories. All materials exhibited acceptable homogeneity for virtually all 29 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Sr, V, Zn) for which best estimate concentration values were available, an essential pre-requisite in establishing reference values for these materials. Sixty-two percent of all homogeneity coefficients of variation (CV) were below 5%, with Br, Ca, Cl, Mg, Na, P, Zn and especially K and N exhibiting very high homogeneity CV less than 1% in some cases.Contribution no. 92–148 from Centre for Land and Biological Resources Research     

Elemental analysis of some herbal plants used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases by NAA and AAS

Elemental analysis of some herbal plants used in the ayurveda for curing of cardiovascular diseases has been performed using the techniques of neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentration of elements Mn, Na, K and Cl has been estimated by NAA using a²⁵²Cf neutron source and a high purity gemanium detector coupled to a multichannel analyzer, while the elements Ca, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd and Hg were analysed by AAS using a Perkin Elmer 3100 instrument.     

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.     

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.     

Elemental composition of drinking water supplies in three states in Southeastern Nigeria

The levels of some trace elements; Co, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb, Fe, Hg, Se, As, Ni and minor elements; Na, K, Ca and Mg were determined in public drinking water supplies (public taps and groundwaters) in three states in Southeastern Nigeria using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The mean levels of most of the trace elements in the groundwater samples were below the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water quality limits, the only exception being Hg whose mean value of 3.69 μg/l exceeded the WHO limit of 1.0 μg/l. Violations of the WHO limits were also observed for Fe, Zn, Se and Pb in some of the groundwater samples. In the public tap samples only Hg violated the WHO limit.     

Assessment of atmospheric deposition of metals in Ha Noi using the moss bio-monitoring technique and proton induced X-ray emission

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The concentration of 22 metal elements including Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba and Pb in Barbula...