Abstract:
Pseudocyclic Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis, INAA, was applied in the determination of Se, Sc, and Dy in Selene Dorsalis, Pomadasys peroteti, Brachydenterus aurita, Selar crumenophthalmus, Sargocentron hastatus, Dactylopterus volitans, Hemiramphus balao, Auxis thazard, Pagellus belloti, Citharicthys stampflii, Neorossia caroli, Scomber japonicus, Calappa pelii, and Decapterus rhonchus. All these marine fishes were selected from Biriwa, Cape Coast and Elmina in the Central region of Ghana. In this technique, thermal neutrons were employed. 94.7% accuracy was achieved by analyzing International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Reference Materials (RM). The Relative standardization method was used in the quantification of all the elements. Dy, Se and Sc were significantly registered in Pomadasys peroteti, Dactylopterus volitans, Hemiramphus balao and Scomber japonicus. The daily intake of Se for seven out of the fourteen fishes, which represent 50%; Selar crumenophthalmus, Hemiramphus balao, Pagallus belloti, Citharicthys stampflii, Decapterus rhonchus, Scomber japonicas, and Dactylopterus volitans were found to be in agreement with the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for both males and females. Sc and Dy, which are not vital trace elements and also do not have RDAs, were also present in varying quantities in all the fourteen fishes. Calappa pelii registered the highest daily intake of Dy 997µg/d, whilst Selene dorsalis registered the least daily intake of Dy 39µg/d. The intake of Sc for Pagellus belloti (2.59µg/d) was the highest as even Auxis thazard registered the least daily intake of Dy with 0.06µg/d
