Determination of trace elements in ghanaian shea butter and shea nut by neutron activation analysis (NAA)

Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine the concentrations of trace elements in Ghanaian shea nut and shea butter. As part of the study, measurements of the elemental composition of shea butter and shea nut samples were carried out by Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) using the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1). Samples collected from local markets in the Northern region of Ghana and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1547 Peach leaves were irradiated at the GHARR-1 facility. Validation of the method was done using NIST SRM Orchard Leaves (1571) under the same experimental conditions. Six trace elements (Na, Mn, Al, Cl, Ca and K) were detected with maximum concentration of Na found to be 15±1 mg/kg in SN5, Mn; 7.4±0.8 mg/kg in SN6, Al; 259±3 mg/kg in SN1, Cl; 666±27 mg/kg in SN1, Ca; 0.21±0.04 wt.% in SN4, K; 2.0±0.04 wt.% in SN1, Ce; 3.2±0.06 mg/kg in SN2, Se; 0.12± 0.00 4 mg/kg in S N4 , and Sc; 0.40 ±0.0 2 mg/kg in SN2. The concentrations of the trace elements were within the limit laid down for safe human consumption. © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2011.