DETERMINATION OF BORON IN FOOD AND BIOLOGICAL REFERENCE MATERIALS BY NEUTRON-CAPTURE PROMPT-GAMMA ACTIVATION

Boron concentrations were determined by in-beam neutron capture prompt-γ activation analysis for 31 food and biological reference materials prepared by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Agriculture Canada, the National Institute for Environmental Studies of Japan, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Sensitivity and background enhancements that are consequences of neutron scattering in hydrogenous matrices such as biological reference materials are discussed, as are correction methods for nuclide interferences, with emphasis on sodium. The limit of quantitation for these materials is 1.0-2.5 μg/g and the limit of detection is 0.3-0.8 μg/g, depending on the irradiation time. For materials with boron levels ≥30 μg/g (e.g., most botanicals), the total analytical uncertainty is ≤2%. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.