Determination of several trace elements in cassava using nuclear analytical technique

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple food crop that grown in a sub-tropical and tropical areas. It is a drought tolerant and can grow well in areas up to 2.500 m above sea level. In Indonesia, cassava is the third largest source of carbohydrates after rice and maize. Therefore, it is important to determine the nutritional value of cassava including its essential trace elements, which is required by human body and plays an important role in human metabolism. In this research, some trace elements such as Co, Cr, Fe, Se and Zn in cassava from several city in Java has been determined using Nuclear Analytical Technique (NAT). Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) as one of the NAT was applied in this research due to its accuracy and sensitivity for trace elements determination. The rabbit system in the reactor G.A Siwabessy facilities with neutron flux ∼1013 n.cm-2.s−1 was utilized for cassava samples irradiation. Counting and elemental measurement was carried out using HPGe detector. Quality control of the data analysis was applied using SRM NIST 1567a Wheat Flour and gave good results with percent recovery ranged from 94.2 to 113.5%. The range concentration of Co, Cr, Fe, Se and Zn were 0.002-0.098, 0.023-0.158, 1.65-18.9, 0.008-0.228 and 2.06-7.68 mg/kg, respectively. This results can be utilized to determine the dietary intake of the trace elements from cassava.