Measurements of protein in limbs by IVNAA

Abstract

A method for the determination of protein in human limbs by in vivo neutron activation analysis of their nitrogen content is described. The neutron flux is provided by a collimated 740 GBq (20 Ci) Pu−Be source. The 10.83 MeV thermal neutron capture gamma-rays from14N are detected by a 12.7 cm by 10.2 cm NaI(T1) detector. The nitrogen and hydrogen in an arm, the lower and the upper legs of two volunteers were measured with a statistical error around 3.6%–18% and 0.26%–0.56%, respectively. Also, the ratio of nitrogen to hydrogen in the limbs was compared. For a 1.000 s irradiation the dose equivalent was 0.3 mSv (30 mrem).