Radioactivity in Bananas : A Comparative Study of K40 Concentrations in Costa Rican and Ecuadorian Varieties Available in the Libyan Market
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65405/.v10i37.515Keywords:
Bananas, potassium-40, radioactivity, gamma spectrometry, Libyan marketAbstract
Bananas are a rich source of potassium, which naturally contains trace amounts of the
radioactive isotope potassium-40. This study investigates the levels of radioactive potassium40 in bananas supplied to the Libyan market, with a focus on samples imported from Costa
Rica and Ecuador. Fifteen banana samples were collected, prepared, and analyzed using
gamma spectrometry with a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The activity
concentrations of K⁴⁰ were found to range between 93.8±3.3 and 276.9±10.2 Bq/kg, with
Costa Rican bananas exhibiting higher average concentrations (226.25±8.8 Bq/kg) compared
to Ecuadorian bananas (186.85±8.25 Bq/kg). The results indicate that while the levels of K⁴⁰
in bananas are within safe limits, variations in concentrations may be influenced by
geographical and agricultural factors, such as soil composition and the use of potassium-rich
fertilizers. The study highlights the importance of monitoring radioactivity in food,
particularly in regions with limited radiological data, and contributes to the global
understanding of radiological risks associated with food consumption. The findings
underscore the need for further research into the factors affecting radionuclide uptake in crops
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