Multi-element analysis of Libyan food samples using instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analysis

Multi-element analysis of samples of cereal staple food and spices representing typical Libyan diet was carried out using various modes of neutron activation analysis. Most minor and trace elements were determined using INAA with long-term irradiation (L-INAA). When minor elements determined, instrumental NAA with short-term irradiation (S-INAA) was successfully employed as well. For iodine determination, INAA using short-term activation with epithermal neutrons (S-INAA) was applicable; however, more reliable results have been obtained using short-term irradiation followed by a radiochemical separation procedure (S-RNAA). Contents of many trace elements in the analyzed food samples were often under the detection limit of INAA, and required their radiochemical separation. Similarly to iodine, vanadium was measured via the S-RNAA using another separation scheme. Long-term irradiation followed by a radiochemical separation (L-RNAA) was used to determine Hg and Se, and for t he group determination of As, Sb, Mo, Cu, and Cd. Results were discussed and conclusions were extracted.