ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF FOODS FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE INDUCED RADIOACTIVITIES
Abstract
A program has been initiated to determine by neutron activation analysis the elemental concentrations of a wide variety of elements in four (4) foods: beef, pork, ham, and chicken. The resulting analytical data, combined with concurrent determinations of radioactivity balances for each food, will provide a basis for radio-chemical characterization oft he neutron-induced activities found or expected to be found in foods after sterilization at the several types of irradiation facilities. Ash residues from homogenized samples of the four foods have been analyzed in two irradiation experiments. Data are reported for qualitative analyses of eight (8) elements in each food and quantitative analytical data are reported for twenty (20) additional elements. Of the elements determined, phosphorus, with concentrations in the bulk foods of about 0.1 per cent, was the most abundant. Values of other trace element concentrations were as small as .00001 ppm. Radioactivity balance studies are being performed on the four ash samples from the second irradiation. In the period from 13 days to 125 days after irradiation, the major constituents of the total beta radioactivity in these samples were l4.2-day P32 and 87-day S35. The major contribution to the observed total gamma radioactivity are bremsstrahlung from P32 along with 45-day Fe59, 245-day Zn65 and 5.2-year Co60.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 09, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0267374
Entities
People
- J. Roesmer
- R. C. Koch
- W. A. Henninger