Applications of nuclear analytical techniques in human nutrition research as exemplified by research programmes of the international atomic energy agency

In human nutrition research, nuclear analytical techniques, particularly neutron activation analysis (NAA), are used mainly for thein vitro study of trace elements. According to work sponsored by the IAEA, up to 15 trace elements and 5 minor elements of nutritional interest may be determined in biological materials by NAA with good accuracy and precision. A programme is described in which NAA was used for the determination of 14 trace elements and one minor element in human milk. NAA also plays an important role in the certification of reference materials for nutritional studies.