F. T. Sheyin^1*, M. O. A. Oladipo¹, S. A. Jonah¹, U. Sadiq²

Show more
¹ Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
² Department of Physics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Show less

Abstract: Samples of the food legumes, cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), soya beans (Glycine max) and groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea) collected from rural farmers in four rural villages around Zaria, Nigeria were analysed for the concentrations of the major, minor and trace elements by the ko-ENAA and INAA methods. Irradiation and γ-ray counting were performed using the NIRR-1 and associated facilities. The NIST 1515 Apple leaves were used as the quality control material. The concentrations of the elements Se, Br and Rb were determined by ko-ENAA while those of Na, K, Zn, La, Br, Sm and Sc were determined in INAA in the food legumes. The concentrations of Zn found in all the legumes are within the limit specified in international guidelines. The concentrations of Se found in the food legumes are above the limit specified in international guidelines. The food legumes are good sources of the elements Na, K, Zn which can meet adequate dietary requirements provided the legumes are not refined. Bromine is not at toxic levels in the food legumes.

Keywords: ko-ENAA of Food Legumes, INAA of Food Legumes

Cite this paper: Sheyin, F. , Oladipo, M. , Jonah, S. and Sadiq, U. (2015) Elemental Analysis of Some Nigerian Food Legumes by k_o-ENAA and INAA. World Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 5, 241-251. doi: 10.4236/wjnst.2015.53024.

References

[1]   Jonah, S.A., Umar, I.M., Oladipo, M.O.A., Balogun, G.I. and Adeyemo, D.J. (2006) Standardization of NIRR-1 Irradiation and Counting Facilities for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 64, 818-822. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2006.01.012

[2]   Sheyin, F.T., Oladipo, M.O.A., Jonah, S.A. and Sadiq, U. (2015) Determination of α in the Cadmium Lined Irradiation Channel of the NIRR-1 for Use in k_o-ENAA. Unpublished.

[3]   Jonah, S.A., Sadiq, U., Okunade, I.O. and Funtua, I.I. (2009) The Use of the k_o-IAEA Program in NIRR-1 NAA Laboratory. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 279, 1-7.

[4]   Bem, H. and Ryan, D.E. (1981) Choice of Boron Shield in Epithermal Neutron Activation Analysis Determinations. Analytica Chimica Acta, 124, 373-380.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670(01)93585-8

[5]   Hou, X., Wang, K. and Chai, C. (1996) Epithermal Neutron Activation and Its Application in the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 210, 137-148.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02055413

[6]   Bereznal, T., Bodizs, D. and Keomley, G. (1977) Investigation on the Comparator Technique used in Epithermal Neutron Activation Analysis. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 36, 509-524.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02517018

[7]   Parry, S.J. (1982) Epithermal Neutron Activation Analysis of Short-Lived Nuclides in Geological Material. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 72, 195-207. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02516784

[8]   Zaghloul, R. (1986) Multielement Epithermal Neurton Activation Analysis Using an Internal Single Comparator. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 100, 215-218.

[9]   Zaghloul, R., Gantner, E., Mostafa, M. and Ache, N.J. (1987) Epithermal Neutron Actvation Analysis Using the Monostandard Method. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 109, 291-307.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02037873

[10]   Garrison, R.G. and Somer, E. (1995) The Nutrition Desk Reference, 3rd Edition, Keats Publishing Inc., New Cannan.

[11]   Underwood, E.J. (1977) Trace Elements in Human and Animal Nutrition. 4th Edition, Academic Press, New York.

[12]   Wardlaw, G.M., Hampl, J.S. and Di Sivelstro, R.A. (2004) Perspectives in Nutrition. 6th Edition, McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., New York.

[13]   WHO (1996) Trace Elements in Human Nutrition and Health. World Health Organization, Geneva.

[14]   Sheyin, F.T. (2015) Characterization of the Cadmium Lined Irradiation Channel of the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) and Its Application for Elemental Determination in Some Legumes. Ph.D. Thesis, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

[15]   De Corte, F. and Simonits, A. (2003) Recommended Nuclear Data for Use in the k_o Standardization of Neutron Activation Analysis. Atomic Data and Nuclear Data Tables, 85, 47-67.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0092-640X(03)00036-6

[16]   Moens, L., De Corte, F., De Wispelaere, A., Hoste, J., Simonits, A., Elek, A. and Szabo, E. (1984) Part II: k_o-Measurements and Related Nuclear Data Compilation for (n, γ) Reactor Neutron Activation Analysis. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 82, 385-452.

[17]   Simonits, A., Moens, L., De Corte, F., De Wispelaere, A., Elek, A. and Hoste, J. (1990) k_o-Measurements and Related Nuclear Data Compilation For (n, γ) Reactor Neutron Activation Analysis, Part I. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 60, 461-516. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02518906

[18]   De Corte, F., Simonits, A., De Wispelaere, A. and Elek, A. (1989) k_o-Measurements and Related Nuclear Data Compilation for (n, γ) Reactor Neutron Activation Analysis, IIIa: Experimental. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 133, 3-41.

[19]   De Corte, F. and Simonits, A. (1989) k_o-Measurements and Related Nuclear Data Compilation For (n, γ) Reactor Neutron Activation Analysis, IIIb: Tabulation. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 133, 43-130.

[20]   El Nimr, T., De Corte, F., Moens, L. and Hoste, J. (1981) Epicadmium Neutron Activation Analysis (ENAA) Based on the k_o-Comparator Method. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 67, 421-430.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02516355

[21]   De Corte, F., Dejaeger, M., Hossain, S.M., Vandenberghe, D., De Wespelaere, A. and Van den Haute, P. (2005) A Performance Comparison of k_o-Based ENAA and NAA in the (K, Th, U) Radiation Dose Rate Assessment for the Luminescence Dating of Sediments. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 263, 659-665.

[22]   Simonits, A., De Corte, F. and Hoste, J. (1975) Single Comparator Methods in Reactor Neutron Activation Analysis. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 24, 31-46.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02514380

[23]   Liyu, W. (2004) CIAE/WINSPAN, Multi-Purpose Gamma-Ray Spectrum Analysis Software. China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing.

[24]   Reilly, C. (1980) Metal Contamination of Food. Applied Science Publishers, London, 46-63.

[25]   Waheed, S., Zaidi, J.H. and Ahmad, S. (2003) Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of 23 Individual Food Articles from a High Altitude Region. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 258, 73-81.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1026253924758

[26]   Schroeder, H.A. (1976) The Trace Elements in Nutrition. Faber and Faber, London, 36-46.