Study on element distribution in vegetable and tuber samples using the k0-based instrumental neutron activation analysis
摘要
This study investigates the elemental composition of six vegetables and six tubers collected from markets in Ho Chi Minh City using the k₀-INAA method. The results indicate that element concentrations in vegetables were 5–39 times higher than in tubers.
In vegetables, the order of element concentration is Cl > Ca > Al > Fe, while in tubers, it is Ca > Cl > Fe > Al. Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) divided the vegetable samples into two clusters, suggesting that element accumulation depends on plant type rather than biological relationships. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) further grouped the four elements into two clusters based on their absorption trends, emphasizing the species-specific and nutritional roles in elemental uptake and distribution.