Session Speaker

Radioisotope Induced X-ray Fluorescence – A Diagnostic Tool for Drug Analysis and its Effect on Human Health and Diseases
Daisy Joseph

Energy dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) – an ideal technique for detecting trace elements in drugs have been used for analyzing drugs containing Zn supplements used for growth in children and ayurvedic medicines containing toxic elements such as Arsenic(As) and Mercury.Hg) Zn supplements (Jasad Bhasm) manufactured by various manufacturers were analyzed for their trace elements besides Zn and were compared with laboratory preparations. Similarly the ayurvedic medicines from different companies were analyzed for their metal composition. All samples in powder form were pelletized and analyzed using an X-ray spectrometer consisting of a Cd 109 radioisotope source, Si(Li) detector of resolution 170 eV at 5.9 KeV Mn X-ray ,premaplier,amplifier and a PC based Multichannel analyzer Varying amounts of trace elements were detected in Jasad Bhasm and interesting results (As and Hg) were seen in the ayurvedic medicines in addition to other trace elements such as K,Ca,Fe,Cu and Zn Their levels of toxicity and significance to human health and diseases will be discussed in the following sections of the paper.