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Measurement of Natural and Artifical Radionucludies of Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni Extract

M. Abdus Salam
BCSIR Laboratories Chittagong-4220, Bangladesh

Kabir Ahmed
BCSIR Laboratories Chittagong-4220, Bangladesh

A. J. M. Morshed
BCSIR Laboratories Chittagong-4220, Bangladesh

M. K. Hossain
BCSIR Laboratories Chittagong-4220, Bangladesh

S. Yesmin Chowdhury
BCSIR Laboratories Chittagong-4220, Bangladesh

Md. Musa Chowdhury
BCSIR Laboratories Chittagong-4220, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Present study was carried out to measure the natural and artificial radionuclides of two different extract of Stevia Rebandiana Bertoni and a standard sugar solution. Factor affecting low-background Germanium Spectroscopy with HPGE Detectors, which is sensitive to all Gamma energies have been used for the measurement of natural and artifical radionuclides in stevia extracts and sugar solution. By analyzing two different types of Stevia extract samples and standard sugar solution sample, no significant presence of natural radionuclides were observed compared with background count. We also didn't find any artificial radionuclides in these three samples. So based on above observation we conclude that the leaves of Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni extract is very safe to use as substitute of sugar as sweetener in foods and beverages for diabetics and obese people due to their potent sweetener stevioside and free of artifical radionuclides.

Keywords: Natural radionuclides, Artificial radionuclides, Stevia extract, Sweetener, Food additives

Location: BCSIR Laboratories Chittagong

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Non-commodity: Impact

Objectives:

To investigate the role of radionuclides emitter in causing various diseases, especially cancer.

Methodology:

Plant collection - The herbs of Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni have been collected from BCSIR laboratories campus, Chittagong. Extract preparation - The chlorophyll of the leaf has been removed by means of nhexane. Then the leaves were dried again. The leaves (15g) have been extracted with rectified sprit for five times. The extract was concentrated by means of rotary evaporator under reduced pressure and low-temperature. The concentrated extract was then dried freeze dryer. The freeze dried extract was dissolved in 1000ml water. Secondly, dried leaves (15g) were mixed with 250 ml distilled water and heated at 70-75^OC for half an hour then cooled and filtered. The filtrate was collected. The filtering process was carried out four times. The total volume of the filtered extract was 1000ml. A standard sugar solution of same concentration was also made. Radionuclide measurement - The detection and measurement of radionuclides in the sample were carried out by Gamma-spectrometry using a 100 cm³ intrinsic P-type coaxial HPGE detector with a relative efficiency of 20% and resolution of 1.83 Kev for the peak of 1332 Kev of ⁶⁰Co. The detctor was connected to an 8192- Channel computer analyzer. Efficiency calibration was carried out using standard samples. The ²²⁶Ra activity was determined from Gamma-ray energy of ²¹⁴Pb at 352Kev and²¹⁴Bi at 609 Kev; ²³²Th activity was measured from gammaray energy of ²²⁸Ac at 911 and 969 Kev; ²²⁸Th measured from ²⁰⁸TI at 583.19 Kev; 40K activity at 1460 kev; and ¹³⁷Cs activity was measured at 661 Kev gamma-ray energy. Numerical Analysis of the peak - In exceptionally fine spectrometers the peaks are essentially Gaussian, through this depends on the settings of the amplifier and on the count rates. Obtaining really symmetric peaks is more difficult at high count rates.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(4), 467-472, 2009

Article Link (Online Journal): www.banglajol.info

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It has been observed (eye observation) that there is no far difference between Stevia extracts and standard sugar solution. Both are free form harmful radionuclides. This experiment indicates that there are no significant natural radionuclides and artifical radionuclides are present in the investigated Stevia extracts. This natural sweetener is safe for the human consumption. The research break through will assist the Government and other agency while dealing with export Stevia products to other countries. the data may be useful guideline for researchers working on radioecology and health physics.

Knowledge Management: Journal