title: Natural radioactivity determination in samples of Peperomia pellucida commonly used as a medicinal herb.
abstract: The concentration of (238)U, (232)Th, (230)Th, (226)Ra, (228)Ra and (210)Pb were determined in samples of Peperomia pellucida and in the surrounding soil, by alpha spectrometry and gross alpha and beta counting. The radionuclide activity concentrations ranged from 4.3 to 38 Bq kg(-1), 1.7-124 Bq kg(-1), 2.1-38 Bq kg(-1), 8.5-37 Bq kg(-1), 3.2-46 Bq kg(-1), 39-93 Bq kg(-1), respectively. In the plant extractions and infusions as used for consumption, the mean recoveries were from 23% to 60% in maceration and 24-75% in infusion.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - Centro do Reator de Pesquisas, (IPEN - CRPq/CNEN - SP), Av. Professor Lineu Prestes 2242, Cidade Universitária, CEP 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fábio V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Sussa
authors.forename: Sandra R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Damatto
authors.forename: Marcos M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Alencar
authors.forename: Barbara P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Mazzilli
authors.forename: Paulo S C
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D001417:Background Radiation; D001938:Brazil; D036941:Peperomia; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011851:Radioactivity; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive