Quantitative Epithermal Neutron Activation Analysis of Seven Micro Elements in Breast Milk of Lactating Mothers from the Central region of Ghana

Abstract

<jats:p>Background Epithermal instrumental neutron activation analysis (EINAA) technique is used for the determination and estimation of the concentration levels of micronutrients such as Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu) and Iodine (I) in breastmilk. Aim To examine the concentration of seven micro elements in the breastmilk of lactating mother who were exclusively breastfeeding. Methods This study employed quantitative experimental research where 27 lactating mothers voluntarily participated in the study from two health facilities in the Cape Coast Metropolitan area. Data was collected over a period of four weeks. A three millimetre (3mm) thick of flexible boron was used to cut off thermal neutrons in order to assess epithermal neutrons. This was done to create an activation energy which examines the amount of the 7 micro nutrients in the breastmilk. The standard reference materials used were the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-336; IAEA-407, IAEA-350 and National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) USA SRM 1577b. The Relative standardization method was used in the quantification of the elements. Results The study achieved about 94.7% accuracy. The estimated health risk calculated showed that the concentrations of chlorine (Cl) and iodine (I) were high in the order I &gt; Cl with all very far above the maximum Upper Limit (UL) of the daily Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for all life stages except for children below 8 years. Conclusion Mn is found in very high quantities in the diet consumed by the parents of babies. These children could be exposed to metabolic disorders or unexplained diseases in future without knowing their origin.</jats:p>