Title: Neutron activation analysis of spices using the TRIGA Mark II research reactor: accurate health assessment of black pepper, fenugreek, turmeric and ginger

Authors: Abdessamad Didi; Abdelwahab Badague; Iliasse Aarab; Hamid Amsil; Hamid Bounouira; Zouhair Sadoune; Mustapha Krim; Reda Mohammed Mesradi; Abdellah Halimi; Veerpratap Meena

Addresses: Laboratory of Sciences and Health Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat, Morocco ' LPMS, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco ' LPMS, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco ' Morocco National Centre for Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, Rabat, Morocco ' Morocco National Centre for Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, Rabat, Morocco ' Departement of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco ' Laboratory of Sciences and Health Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat, Morocco ' Laboratory of Sciences and Health Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat, Morocco ' Laboratory of Sciences and Health Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat, Morocco ' National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India

Abstract: This study focuses on the elemental analysis of four commonly used spices: Black Pepper, Fenugreek, Turmeric and Ginger. We employed Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) to quantify the presence of elements at various concentrations in these samples. The Neutron Activation was performed using the TRIGA Mark II research reactor, with measurements conducted using HPGe detectors at the Neutron Activation Laboratory of the National Centre for Energy, Nuclear Sciences and Techniques (CNESTEN). The results reveal high concentrations of essential nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, sodium and chlorine, as well as trace elements like iron, zinc and copper. These data provide a detailed profile of the mineral composition of these spices, highlighting their nutritional potential and implications for human health.

Keywords: neutron activation analysis; spices; black pepper; fenugreek; turmeric; ginger; trace elements.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2025.150741

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2025 Vol.18 No.2, pp.174 - 188

Received: 20 Jan 2025
Accepted: 30 May 2025
Published online: 22 Dec 2025 *

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