A feasibility study to measure low levels of boron in selected Canadian and Japanese foods by prompt gamma activation analysis using the JAEA JRR-3 facility

A feasibility study was carried out to evaluate the potential of the thermal neutron capture prompt-gamma activation analysis (PGAA) for the measurement of low levels of boron in selected Canadian and Japanese foods using the PGA facility at the JRR-3 reactor of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) in Tokai. A method was optimized for this purpose. It is rapid and can be used without any chemical separation. The precision and accuracy of the method are good. The detection limit is around 0.5 mg kg −1 .