Abstract
The concentration of nitrogen in pork meat is determined by in-vivo prompt gamma-ray activation analysis using the reactor neutron beam and a high purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometer. The photopeak area of the 10827 keV high energy prompt gamma-ray, originated from 14 N(n, γ) reaction on the pork medium, is analyzed to determine the concentration of nitrogen. Urea solutions with various concentration of nitrogen are used to calibrate the absolute efficiency of the gamma-ray spectrometer. In 9000 s irradiation and counting period, the minimum detectable concentration is 1.7 g of N/100 g of meat using the in-vivo technique. The result is also compared to data obtained by another analytical method. This nondestructive, in-vivo technique, with nominal radiation dose, is a reliable and promising method to determine the nitrogen concentration in living body. © 1993 Akadémiai Kiadó.