Application of standard addition method in the analysis of selenium in cereals using NIRR-1 facility

Locally cultivated cereal samples were obtained in three states of Nigeria (Kaduna State, Borno State and Sokoto State). The samples collected from the study areas were assayed with NIRR-1 facility using standard addition method. From the results obtained, the range of selenium concentrations in rice and maize samples are (0.163 μg/g - 0.221μg/g) and (0.259 μg/g - 0.330 μg/g) respectively. Results for the IAEA 336 standards agree well with its certified values. The results were also compared with RDA permissible limits and found to be below the tolerable upper intake level. This is an indication that selenium toxicity is of no concern to the consumers of cereals in Kaduna, Borno and Sokoto States. The successful application of Standard Addition Method of INAA in this paper has provided a solution to the complexity of selenium determination in cereals with NIRR-1 facility which eased the procedure of selenium determination in biological matrix.