Research Article Open Access

Potential Radiological Impact of Consumption of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) Cultivated in Southeast Nigeria

Authors

Kenneth K. Agwu
Department of Medical Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria
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CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Mark C. Okeji
Department of Medical Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria
|
Paschal Tchokossa
Department of Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Published on: April 15, 2016
DOI 10.3923/pjn.2016.461.464
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Abstract

The radionuclides present in Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) cultivated and consumed in Southeast Nigeria were assessed and their activity concentration determined to assess the potential radiological impact of consumption of the vegetable as part of the daily diet. The radioactivity concentration of 238U, 232Th and 40K in the vegetable samples were ranging from 18.06±6.00 to 43.08±9.07 Bq/kg for 238U (mean = 28.68±3.62 Bq/kg), 13.41±3.01 to 17.79±3.68 Bq/kg for 232Th (mean = 15.41±1.62 Bq/kg) and 219.13±10.64 to 354.04±10.15 Bq/kg for 40K (mean = 251.84±8.07 Bq/kg). There was no anthropogenic radionuclide detected. The annual intake of 238U and 232Th from consumption of Fluted Pumpkin in the locality under study was range from 3.6-8.6 Bq/yr (mean = 5.7 Bq/yr) and 2.7-3.6 Bq/yr (mean = 3.1 Bq/yr). The committed effective dose was 0.25 μSv for 238U and 0.71 μSv for 232Th. The consumption of Fluted Pumpkin can lead to enhanced dietary intakes of thorium series radionuclide when considered against the intakes from other food materials.

Keywords:

Fluted pumpkin, Nigeria, radioactivity, radiological impact, vegetables

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Agwu, K. K., Okeji, M. C., & Tchokossa, P. (2016). Potential Radiological Impact of Consumption of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) Cultivated in Southeast Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 15(5), 461–464. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2016.461.464
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