Analysis of Spices Available in Local Market in Bangladesh Using Ion Beam Analysis Technique

Abstract

Packed and unpacked spices may contain high level of lead that poses health threats. It may be due to soil contamination or artificial mixing of heavy elements to make the spices look brighter to attract customers. Some spices sample like turmeric and red chilli powder of local market in Bangladesh were collected to determine the toxicity present in them. The sample were dried and pressed to make pellet and irradiated by proton beam of 2.4 MeV and in the current range of 10 - 15 nA using 3 MV Van de Graaff Acclerator, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka and the IBA technique PIXE has been used for all of the experiments. Accuracy and precision of the technique were assured by analyzing certified reference material in the same experimental conditions. The elements that were found to be present in these samples are P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn. Among the investigated sample, one turmeric powder sample contains excess Pd which may affect human health. Proper care should be taken on processing the spices.