Elemental Analysis of Some Nigerian Food Legumes by k_o-ENAA and INAA

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

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

DOI: 10.4236/wjnst.2015.53024                

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 k_o-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 k_o-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

k_o-ENAA of Food Legumes, INAA of Food Legumes

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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