1. Caroline de Mattos Abrusio, Pedro Henrique Caram Scala, Marcilei Aparecida Guazzelli da Silveira, Maristhela Passoni de Araújo Marin Centro Universitário da FEI, São Bernardo do Campo, Braz Marcia de Almeida Rizzutto, Nilberto Heder Medina Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil Caroline de Mattos Abrusio, Pedro Henrique Caram Scala, Marcilei Aparecida Guazzelli da Silveira, Maristhela Passoni de Araújo Marin Centro Universitário da FEI, São Bernardo do Campo, Braz Marcia de Almeida Rizzutto, Nilberto Heder Medina Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil ABSTRACT RESULTS This work propose to analyze samples of Brazil nuts. In this study, two different techniques were used: gamma-ray spectrometry and Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF). In gamma-ray spectrometry potassium, thorium and uranium were quantified via the measurement of the effective doses of 40 K and the decay of the elements of the radioactive series of 238 U and 232 Th of three different samples: nuts, bark and flour of Brazil nuts, the latter being obtained from oil extraction procedure. The X-ray Fluorescence analysis allowed the identification of the macro and micronutrients in four different samples: nuts, bark, flour and oil. The nut oil was obtained using Soxhlet extractor. Through the analysis techniques used in this project, it was possible to analyze the transfer of radioisotopes in different parts of the samples. CONCLUSION GAMMA-RAY SPECTROMETRY To perform the gamma-ray spectrometry  Determine the activity of the standard sources;  Calculate the gamma-ray areas of the standard sources;  Calculate the gamma-ray areas of the samples;  Determine the activity of the samples;  Calculate the concentrations of 40 K, 238 U and 232 Th in the samples [4]. To perform the gamma-ray spectrometry  Determine the activity of the standard sources;  Calculate the gamma-ray areas of the standard sources;  Calculate the gamma-ray areas of the samples;  Determine the activity of the samples;  Calculate the concentrations of 40 K, 238 U and 232 Th in the samples [4]. X-RAY FLUORESCENCE The Brazil nuts are considered one of the most radioactive existing food, mainly due to radium presence in its composition, due to the complex metabolic system of the plant and its extensive root system, which has high nutrient absorption capacity. Such absorption capacity is also responsible for the presence of barium in the composition of Brazil nuts, existing a positive correlation between the amounts of such elements in different parts of the plant, which may explain why the chestnut trees absorb radioactive elements from the soil [3]. The rocks and soil are, basically, the main sources of natural radiation existing, since they contain significant concentrations of products from the decay of thorium and uranium series. Such products are presented in gaseous state, being deposited in the environment due to high atomic weights and subsequently incorporated by humans by inhalation or ingestion [1, 2]. INTRODUCTION [1] CARDOSO, E.M. Radioatividade. Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear. Rio de Janeiro. [2] AZEVEDO, A. C. P. Radioproteção em Serviços de Saúde. FIOCRUZ. Rio de Janeiro. [3] Radioactive Brazil nuts and the naturalistic fallacy. Disponível em: Access in 15 feb. 2015. [4] SILVEIRA, M. A. G.; MEDINA, N. H.; PEREIRA, B. R.; AGUIAR, V. A. P. High natural radiation in Brazilian sands. AIP Conference Proceedings. v. 1423, p. 379-382/1551-7616. 2012. [5] Fluorescência de raios-X. In ULISBOA. Disponível em: Access in 16 feb. 2015. [6] BRUM, A. A. S.; ARRUDA, L. F.; REGITANO-D’ARCE, M. A. B. Métodos de Extração e Qualidade da Fração Límpida de Matérias-Primas de Origem Vegetal e Animal. Universidade de São Paulo. Piracicaba. 2008. [1] CARDOSO, E.M. Radioatividade. Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear. Rio de Janeiro. [2] AZEVEDO, A. C. P. Radioproteção em Serviços de Saúde. FIOCRUZ. Rio de Janeiro. [3] Radioactive Brazil nuts and the naturalistic fallacy. Disponível em: Access in 15 feb. 2015. [4] SILVEIRA, M. A. G.; MEDINA, N. H.; PEREIRA, B. R.; AGUIAR, V. A. P. High natural radiation in Brazilian sands. AIP Conference Proceedings. v. 1423, p. 379-382/1551-7616. 2012. [5] Fluorescência de raios-X. In ULISBOA. Disponível em: Access in 16 feb. 2015. [6] BRUM, A. A. S.; ARRUDA, L. F.; REGITANO-D’ARCE, M. A. B. Métodos de Extração e Qualidade da Fração Límpida de Matérias-Primas de Origem Vegetal e Animal. Universidade de São Paulo. Piracicaba. 2008. This work aims to analyze the presence and concentration of natural radiation and other macro and micronutrients in nuts and bark nuts. The studies use the information of the gamma radiation emitted from Potassium ( 40 K) and in the decay of elements in the series of 232 Th and 238 U. Gamma-Ray Spectrometry It was possible to determine the concentration of the radionuclides in the samples of nuts and flour comparing the samples results with standards of known concentrations and activities regulated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for 40 K, 238 U and 232 Th radionuclides samples. Gamma-Ray Spectrometry It was possible to determine the concentration of the radionuclides in the samples of nuts and flour comparing the samples results with standards of known concentrations and activities regulated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for 40 K, 238 U and 232 Th radionuclides samples. X-Ray Fluorescence The analysis of the characteristic X-ray peaks enabled to identify the elements present in the samples. The X-ray peak areas were compared with a standard tomato sample (National Institute of Standards & Technology) also analyzed using the same equipment. X-Ray Fluorescence The analysis of the characteristic X-ray peaks enabled to identify the elements present in the samples. The X-ray peak areas were compared with a standard tomato sample (National Institute of Standards & Technology) also analyzed using the same equipment. Detection system Scintillation detector of NaI(Tl) ADC, PMT High-voltage source Amplifier Lead shielding Software GENIE 2000 Detection system Scintillation detector of NaI(Tl) ADC, PMT High-voltage source Amplifier Lead shielding Software GENIE 2000 This work aims to analyze the presence of the macro and micronutrients by elemental analysis by X-Ray Fluorescence. To perform the x-ray fluorescence  Analyze calibration standards with chemical elements of energy and concentration known;  Determine X-ray peak area of the elements present in the standard samples;  Identify and determine the X-ray peak area of the elements presents in the samples;  Calculate the concentration of the elements in the samples by the ratio between the peak area of the sample and the peak area, knowing the standard concentration [5]. To perform the x-ray fluorescence  Analyze calibration standards with chemical elements of energy and concentration known;  Determine X-ray peak area of the elements present in the standard samples;  Identify and determine the X-ray peak area of the elements presents in the samples;  Calculate the concentration of the elements in the samples by the ratio between the peak area of the sample and the peak area, knowing the standard concentration [5]. Detection system Si semiconductor detector Mini x-ray tube with Ag target Amptek XR-100CR (25mm 2 x 500μm) W and Al filters Software WIN QXAS 232 Th decay chain 238 U decay chain Decay of 40 K Table 1 – Concentration of radionuclides in the samples of Brazil nuts and their flour (after extraction) SAMPLE PREPARATION Brazil nuts For the preparation of the samples, the Brazil nuts were peeled. Then the nuts, as well as their shells, were separately crushed, ensuring the best homogenization of the samples. Part of the samples of nuts was subjected to the oil extraction process. In the oil process was used Soxhlet extractor and hexane as solvent. The system was kept under gentle heating for 4 hours [6]. The extracted oil was separated from the solvent by carrying out simple distillation. All samples were properly weighed, sealed and labeled. Soxhlet extraction system Samples of nuts, flour, oil and barks Table 2 – Concentration of macro and micronutrients in the samples of Brazil nuts and their flour and barks Figure 2 – X-ray spectrum of Brazil nuts and barks Figure 3 – Comparing the concentrations of Ca and K in the samples This work measured the presence of the radionuclides 40 K, 232 Th and 238 U, and the presence of various macro and micronutrients in Brazil nuts. It is interesting to note the high concentration of 40 K in samples of nuts and flour. It were identified uranium and thorium traces indicating that there was a transfer of radionuclides from soil to the nuts. It is also interesting to note the large concentration of Ca and K elements in samples of nuts, flour and especially in barks, indeed quite interesting since this latter can be used as fertilizer, such adding nutrients to the soil, for example. Besides of the different elements quantified in the samples, The X-ray fluorescence allowed to identify the presence of Se and Ba. The large amount of nutrients found in the bark suggests that this waste can be reused. REFERENCES