Ayivor J.E., Debrah S.K., Nuviadenu C., Forson A.
National Reactors Research Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Science, P.O. Box AE1, Accra, Ghana
Ayivor, J.E., National Reactors Research Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Debrah, S.K., National Reactors Research Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon, Accra, Ghana, Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Science, P.O. Box AE1, Accra, Ghana; Nuviadenu, C., National Reactors Research Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon, Accra, Ghana, Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Science, P.O. Box AE1, Accra, Ghana; Forson, A., Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Science, P.O. Box AE1, Accra, Ghana
A preliminary study to provide information on the elemental composition of the Irvingia gabonensis which is used for various purposes such as cooking, medicine, soap and as fresh fruit was conducted in Ghana. Elements determined includes Aluminium (Al), Arsenic (As), Chlorine (Cl), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Iodine (I), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Sodium (Na), and Zinc (Zn). Samples from multiple locations in the southern part of Ghana were analyzed using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). The seed cover (endocarp) presented the highest concentrations of all the elements except Mg and Cu. Toxic and potentially toxic elements including Al and As were detected at average concentrations of 37.78±1.36 and 9.34±0.66. Iron had the hight concentration in all the parts of the fruit analyzed in this study with its highest concentration at 1730±180.83 in the seed coat (endocarp) of the wild mango fruit. The results of this present investigation show that all the parts of the wild mango a rich source of many important elements that have a very positive effect on human health. © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2011.
Average concentration; Elemental compositions; Elemental contents; Endocarp; Fresh fruits; Human health; INAA; Instrumental neutron activation analysis; Irvingia gabonensis; Mesocarp; Positive effects; Potentially toxic elements; Seed coats; Arsenic; Chlorine; Cobalt; Fruits; Iodine; Magnesium; Manganese; Potassium; Seed; Sodium; Toxic materials; Zinc; Neutron activation analysis