Orientador: Maria Aparecida Azevedo Pereira da Silva / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T09:28:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rocha_IzabelaFurtadodeOliveira_M.pdf: 1193628 bytes, checksum: 20d21ae151dfe0c2c77f75eb515025cd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Substitutos do cloreto de sódio (NaCl) têm sido utilizados como opção terapêutica para a redução do consumo de sódio entre hipertensos. No entanto, substitutos de NaCl, incluindo o KCl, apresentam sabores indesejáveis, como gosto amargo e adstringência. Assim, os principais objetivos desta pesquisa foram: 1) estudar o poder de salga e o perfil sensorial de alguns substitutos de NaCl, 2 ) estudar a capacidade dos aminoácidos Lornitina e L-arginina em reduzir o gosto amargo provocado pelo KCl em formulações de sais hipossódicos e, 3) desenvolver formulações de sais hipossódicos com perfil sensorial e aceitação similar ao cloreto de sódio, por meio da otimização dos seus componentes através de Metodologia e Superfície de Resposta. Inicialmente, utilizando o Método de Estimativa de Magnitude, desenvolveu-se a função de potência do NaCl e KCl em solução aquosa. Em seguida, uma equipe de 12 julgadores treinados gerou o perfil sensorial do: i) NaCl em solução aquosa a 0,14M, ii) KCl preparado em soluções aquosas às concentrações de 0,06M, 0,20M e 0,68M e, iii) lactato de cálcio (CaLact) preparado em soluções aquosas às concentrações de 0,032M, 0,14M e 0,23M. Na seqüência, a equipe sensorial treinada avaliou o impacto dos aminoácidos L-arginina e L-ornitina sobre o perfil sensorial de várias formulações de sais hipossódicos contendo KCl. Esses resultados foram analisados através de Metodologia de Superfície de Resposta, obtendo-se assim modelos preditivos que possibilitaram o desenvolvimento de três formulações de sal hipossódico, contendo diferentes proporções de NaCl, KCl e L-ornitina. Finalmente, a Função de Potência e a aceitação dessas três formulações de sais hipossódicos foram avaliadas utilizando-se equipe treinada e equipe de consumidores (n= 60 indivíduos). Dos sais pesquisados, o KCl foi o melhor substituto para o NaCl. A L-ornitina mostrou-se eficiente na redução do gosto amargo presente em formulações hipossódicas contendo NaCl e KCl. Uma das formulações de sal hipossódico desenvolvida (composta por NaCl, KCl e L-ornitina) apresentou o perfil sensorial estatisticamente similar (p=0,05) ao do NaCl, com exceção do gosto amargo (0,75+0,85) que foi ligeiramente superior ao do NaCl (0,24+0,45). A aceitação de um preparado à base de carne, e salgado com essa formulação não diferiu significativamente (p<0,05) da aceitação do mesmo preparado à base de carne, porém salgado apenas com NaCl. A utilização desse sal hipossódico mostrou-se vantajosa, pois sua ingestão em preparado à base de carne reduz em aproximadamente 57% o teor de sódio ingerido, comparativamente ao caldo temperado apenas com NaCl, à mesma intensidade de gosto salgado. Assim, pode-se concluir que esta formulação apresenta alta viabilidade de comercialização como um importante substituto do NaCl no combate e controle da HAS, em razão do seu alto poder de salga e boa aceitação junto aos consumidores / Abstract: Systemic Hypertension is a major public health problem that can be controlled by decreasing sodium intake, and increasing the intake of potassium. However, NaCl substitutes, including KCl, usually have undesirable flavor notes, such as bitter taste and astringency. Thus, the objectives of this research were: 1) to study the salting potency and sensory profile of some low-sodium salts, 2) to study the efficiency of the amino acids L-ornithine and L-arginine in reducing the bitter taste present in some low- sodium salts, and 3) to develop formulations of low-sodium salts showing sensory profile and acceptability similar to sodium chloride. Initially, using the Magnitude Estimation Method the Power Function of the NaCl and KCl in aqueous solution was determined. Then, 12 trained judges developed the sensory profile of: i)the NaCl prepared in aqueous solution at 0.14M, iii) the KCl prepared in aqueous solution concentrations at 0.06M, 0.20M and 0.68M and, iii) the calcium lactate (CaLact) prepared in aqueous solutions at concentrations of 0.032M, 0.14M and 0.23M. Then, the trained sensory panel evaluated the ability of the amino acids Larginine (0.0086 M and 0.1M) and L-ornithine (0.01 M and 0.1M) to suppress the bitter taste of several low-sodium formulations. These results were evaluated using Surface Response Methodology, obtaining predictive linear models that allowed the development of three formulations of low-sodium salt containing different proportions of NaCl, KCl and L-ornithine. Finally, the Power Function and consumer acceptance of these three formulations of low sodium salts were evaluated using a panel of trained judges and a panel of consumers (n= 60 subjects). From all the salts studied, KCl was the best substitute NaCl. The L-ornithine was effective in reducing the bitter taste present in the lowsodium formulation containing NaCl and KCl. One of the low-sodium formulatins developed (composed of NaCl, KCl and L-ornithine) showed the sensory profile statistically similar (p=0.05) to that of NaCl, with the exception of its bitter taste (0.75+0.85), which was slightly higher than that of NaCl (0.24+0.45). Acceptance of a meat broth prepared with this low-sodium salt formulation did not differ significantly (p<0.05) from the acceptance of meat broth prepared with NaCl. The use of this formulation of low-sodium salt showed to be advantageous because it represented a reduction of approximately 57% of the sodium present in the meat broth prepared with NaCl, at the same salty intensity. Thus, this formulation of low-sodium salt has a high marketing viability to combat and control systemic hypertension, due to its high salting potency and good acceptance among consumers / Mestrado / Consumo e Qualidade de Alimentos / Mestre em Alimentos e Nutrição

Orientador: José de Assis Fonseca Faria / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T19:36:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jesus_AnaLauraTiberiode_M.pdf: 1612991 bytes, checksum: 3935cc6ba87a724d5aaf02c88338eea5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: O sódio é um elemento essencial na alimentação, contudo, o seu consumo em excesso poderá ter efeitos nocivos para a saúde, tais como o aumento da pressão sanguínea e a redução da absorção de cálcio. Devido a estes efeitos, a redução do teor de sódio nos alimentos tem sido uma das prioridades nas campanhas realizadas por órgãos governamentais, nomeadamente no setor de laticínios onde o queijo é considerado um gênero alimentício com elevados níveis deste elemento. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito da substituição parcial de NaCl por KCl e MgCl2 nos parâmetros de qualidade do queijo cottage probiótico durante 28 dias de estocagem refrigerada e verificar a viabilidade da cultura starter e das culturas probióticas utilizadas para o processamento do queijo. Além disso, objetivou-se avaliar a aceitação sensorial para identificar direções para a melhoria de atributos sensoriais do produto perante consumidores. Com base nos resultados obtidos observou-se que o ideal de gosto salgado para o queijo cottage probiótico com NaCl foi de 1,12% (p/p), e as concentrações equivalentes em salinidade para todos os sais hipossódicos avaliados mantiveram-se as mesmas do NaCl (1,12% p/p). As contagens de Lactobacillus acidophilus e Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis variaram de 7,74 a 6,20 e 8,58 a 7,93 log (UFC. g-1), respectivamente no primeiro e no último dia de estocagem, valores esses suficientes para benefícios à saúde humana. Porém, as contagens da cultura starter permaneceram baixas com valores inferiores a 3,0 log UFC. g-1 para todas as formulações. Com relação aos ácidos orgânicos, o ácido lático foi o mais encontrado em todas as formulações, seguido pelo ácido cítrico e ácido acético. Quanto a atividade proteolítica, os resultados demonstraram que a formulação controle (100% p/p NaCl sem probióticos) foi a que apresentou menor atividade durante 28 dias de estocagem refrigerada, diferindo estatisticamente das demais formulações. Todos os queijos desse estudo podem ser classificados como de baixo teor de gordura, porque o teor de gordura variou de 4.33 a 4.69 %, e muito alta umidade (74.60 a 75.59 %), segundo a legislação brasileira. A adição de culturas probióticas e a redução de sódio não provocaram mudanças significativas no perfil de ácidos graxos em todos os queijos formulados. Os resultados demonstraram que todas as formulações de queijo cottage apresentaram potencial probiótico, desde que consumidas numa quantidade adequada (2 porções diárias de 50 g), uma vez que as concentrações dos probióticos permaneceram dentro dos padrões estipulados pela legislação brasileira. Entre as formulações elaboradas com sais hipossódicos, a formulação mais aceita foi aquela com redução de sódio de 25% (p/p) de NaCl e substituição por KCl (12,5% p/p) e MgCl2 (12,5% p/p), e o atributo que mais afetou a aceitação dessas formulações foi a textura das amostras. Dessa forma, o queijo cottage probiótico demonstrou ser uma excelente matriz para inserção de sais-hipossódicos, pois não modifica o poder de salga em relação ao NaCl / Abstract: Sodium intake is essential for the welfare of human being, however, its overconsumption may lead to unhealthy effects, namely increased blood pressure and lower calcium absorption. Due to the aforementioned effects, sodium content in food is one of the main focuses of attention in campaigns by government agencies, especially in the dairy sector where cheese is perceived as being a food with high sodium content. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of partial replacement of NaCl by KCl and MgCl2 on the parameters of quality probiotic cottage cheese during 28 days of refrigerated storage and to determine the viability of starter culture and probiotic cultures used in cheese processing. Furthermore, the objective was to evaluate the sensory acceptance to identify directions for improving the sensory attributes of the product before consumers.Using magnitude estimation method, the salty flavor in probiotic cottage was generated using 1.12% (w/w) NaCl, and equivalent concentrations in salinity for all low-sodium salts, was the same as for NaCl (1.12% w/w). The counts of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis ranged from 7.74 to 6.20 and from 8.58 to 7.93 log (CFU. g-1), respectively in the first and last day of storage, enough for benefits to consumers. However, the starter culture counts remained at values below 3.0 log CFU. g-1 for all formulations. Lactic acid was the organic acid found in greater quantities in all formulations, followed by citric acid and acetic acid. The proteolytic activity results showed that the control formulation (100% w/w NaCl without probiotics) showed the lowest activity during 28 days of refrigerated storage, differing from the other formulations. All cheeses of this study can be classified as low-fat, because the fat content ranged 4.33 to 4.69% and very high humidity (74.6 to 75.59%), according to Brazilian regulation. The addition of probiotic cultures and reducing sodium did not cause significant changes in the fatty acid profile of all tested cheeses.The results showed that all the formulations showed probiotic potential if consumed in appropriate portion (2 portions of 50 g daily), since the concentration of probiotics remained within the Brazilian standards. Among formulations prepared with low-sodium salt the best one was that with a reduction of 25%(w/w) sodium substitution of KCl and NaCl (12.5% w/w) and MgCl2 (12.5% w/w) and the attribute that most affected the acceptance was the texture of the samples. Thus, the probiotic cottage cheese proved to be an excellent matrix for the insertion of low-sodium salts, because it does not change the power of brining in relation to NaCl / Mestrado / Tecnologia de Alimentos / Mestra em Tecnologia de Alimentos

Orientador: Marise Aparecida Rodrigues Pollonio / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T16:10:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vidal_VitorAndreSilva_M.pdf: 1623174 bytes, checksum: fd05ba4c61253e55cc357bf9bd34bf91 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Com o aumento das informações científicas sobre a relação entre a quantidade e composição de alimentos consumidos na dieta e a saúde, a busca por alimentos mais saudáveis tornou-se relevante nas escolhas dos consumidores. A carne e os produtos cárneos são excelente fonte de oligoelementos, proteínas de alto valor biológico, minerais, vitaminas do grupo B e outros compostos bioativos. Porém, os elevados níveis de ácidos graxos saturados, colesterol, gordura, aditivos e, especialmente sódio tem imposto limites ao seu consumo. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a redução do teor de cloreto de sódio (NaCl), principal fonte de sódio e tripolifosfato de sódio (TPFS) em emulsões cárneas de baixo custo (alto teor de carne de frango mecanicamente separada) e em formulações nobres (alto teor de matéria-prima cárnea). O estudo foi dividido em duas etapas. Na primeira, foram elaboradas emulsões cárneas populares (60% de carne de frango mecanicamente separada) contendo sais substitutos (NaCl, KCl e CaCl2) combinados ou isolados com base na força iônica correspondente a 2,5% de NaCl, e formulações com apenas redução de 50% destes sais e TPFS com objetivo de avaliar o efeito sobre as propriedades físico-químicas. Na segunda etapa, foram elaborados 5 tratamentos que apresentaram melhor desempenho na primeira etapa, contendo formulações com blend de sais (NaCl, KCl e CaCl2), e redução de 50% de NaCl e TPFS em emulsões cárneas com alto teor de matéria-prima cárnea. O objetivo da segunda etapa foi igualmente utilizar blends de sais como estratégia para reduzir parcialmente o teor de NaCl e TPFS em emulsões cárneas elaboradas com alto teor de matéria-prima cárnea e verificar o efeito destes nas características físico-químicas a fim de que as matrizes cárneas pudessem ser comparadas. Na primeira e segunda etapa foram determinados: teores de Na, K e Ca, estabilidade de emulsão, pH, avaliação da cor instrumental, Aw, microestrutura e perfil de textura. O KCl foi reportado como o melhor sal substituto ao NaCl, não tendo diferença ou resultando somente em pequenas diferenças em relação aos tratamentos contendo apenas NaCl. O sal substituto CaCl2 causou efeito negativo nas características da matriz cárnea, principalmente na porcentagem de extração das proteínas miofibrilares, ainda que com a mesma força iônica que NaCl. O uso de blend de sais (50% NaCl, 25% KCl e 25% CaCl2) mostrou-se ser uma boa alternativa para redução de sódio. Desta forma, a combinação de sais substitutos (50% NaCl, 25% KCl e 25% CaCl2) e utilização do KCl como sal substituto ao NaCl apresentou-se como uma alternativa para redução de sódio tanto em emulsões cárneas com alto teor de matéria-prima cárnea quanto em emulsão cárnea com alto teor de CMS. No entanto, a redução de fosfato em formulações populares com redução de sódio e adicionada de sais substitutos deve ser melhor investigada para ser implementada / Abstract: The scientific and technological development on food composition and its relationship with food intake and health has led consumer to make healthier food choices. Meat and meat products are excellent source of trace elements, protein with high biological value, minerals, B vitamins and other bioactive compounds. However, their high levels of saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, fat, additives and especially sodium have imposed limits on consumption. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the reduction of sodium chloride (NaCl), the main source of sodium, and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) in low-cost meat emulsions (high content of mechanically separated poultry meat) and noble formulations (high content of meat raw material). The study was divided into two stages. First, popular meat emulsions were prepared (60% of mechanically deboned poultry meat) containing salts substitutes (NaCl, KCl and CaCl2) alone or in combination, corresponding to ionic strength of 2.5% NaCl. Then, formulations containing 50% of these salts and STPP were also prepared to evaluate the effect of salt reduction on the physicochemical properties of the processed products. In the second stage, the five treatments with the best performance were prepared, containing blend of salts (NaCl, KCl and CaCl2), and 50% reduction of NaCl and STPP in meat emulsions with high content of meat raw material. The second stage aimed to utilize blends of salts as a strategy to partially reduce NaCl and STPP in meat emulsions containing high content of meat raw material, and to verify its effect on the physicochemical characteristics and compare the meat matrices. In both stages, Na, K and Ca, emulsion stability, pH, instrumental color, aw, microstructure and texture profile were determined. The KCl was reported as the best substitute to NaCl, once little differences were observed in the treatments containing only NaCl. The salt substitute CaCl2 caused a negative effect on the characteristics of the meat matrix especially in the percentage of myofibrillar proteins extracted, despite the similar NaCl ionic strength of all formulations. The use of salt blend (50% NaCl, 25% KCl, and CaCl2 25%) proved to be a good alternative to sodium reduction. Thus, the combination of salt substitutes (50% NaCl, 25% KCl, and 25% CaCl2) and the use of KCl as NaCl substitute may be an alternative to sodium reduction in both emulsions with a high content of meat raw material as with high content of mechanically deboned poultry meat. However, further studies are required on the phosphate reduction in the popular formulations containing low sodium and salt substitutes / Mestrado / Tecnologia de Alimentos / Mestre em Tecnologia de Alimentos

Extravasation is a condition that can occur during an intravenous administration. This means that the solution administered intravenously goes extravascular. Depending on physiochemical properties of the substance and solution, this can cause different severity of the damage. Extravasation of acyclovir, potassium phosphate and potassium chloride causes severe tissue damage that can, in worst case, lead to tissue necrosis. The purpose was therefore to investigate how acyclovir, potassium phosphate and potassium chloride causes tissue damage due to pH and osmolality and how the tissue damage can be avoided. To answer the purpose, a comprehensive literature search was conducted on three different databases; Pubmed, CINAHL and Cochrane. The literature search was in progress from February 4 to May 14 2020. The literature search generated a total of 42 articles and case reports, of which 13 of these were relevant for the purpose. These 13 articles consisted of two animal studies, three experimental observational studies, two guidelines from Västra Götalands Region, three case reports about acyclovir and three case reports of potassium phosphate and potassium chloride.   Two of the experimental observational studies showed that potassium chloride could be diluted with 100 mL of 0,9% sodium chloride or 5% dextrose in water to possibly avoid tissue damage due to extravasation. Such results were not found for either acyclovir or potassium phosphate. The conclusion that could be drawn was that acyclovir caused tissue damage because of its alkaline pH, potassium phosphate because of its hyperosmolality and potassium chloride because of its acidic pH and its hyperosmolality. One way to possibly avoid tissue damage caused by extravasation is to dilute the substances with higher dilution volumes. However, due to the lack of reliability of the included studies, it cannot be safely concluded that tissue damage can be avoided.

The rate and extent of syneresis (whey expulsion) strongly affects cheese composition and quality. During salting, curd syneresis is influenced by the combined effect of both osmotic pressure and protein hydration. Our objective is to examine how cheese composition and whey expulsion are influenced by dry salting curd at various intervals, levels, applications, and potassium chloride (KCl) substitution, or change in calcium or sodium level in test solution (i.e., whey-brine). Four sets of unsalted fresh Cheddar curds were salted with different methods, with at least 3 replicates of each set on separate days. Set A was salted with 30 g/kg NaCl over 3 applications, either 5 or 10 min apart. Set B was salted with 30, 25, and 20 g/kg NaCl over 3 applications 5 min apart. Set C was salted with 20 g/kg NaCl using 1, 2, or 3 applications. Set D received salt consisting of a 2:1 molar ratio of NaCl and KCl over 3 applications 5 min apart. Whey was collected every 5 or 10 min until 30 or 40 min after the start of salting and subsequently pressed for 3 h. Using 10-min intervals delayed whey syneresis but after pressing there was no significant influence on final cheese composition. Decreasing salt levels significantly reduced the amount of whey expelled prior to pressing and resulted in cheeses with higher moisture and slightly lower pH. Adding salt over different applications did not significantly affect cheese composition. Partial substitution with KCl did not affect the amount of whey expelled or cheese moisture composition. Salted milled Cheddar cheese curd was immersed at 22°C for 6 or 18 h in test solution, with the addition of 1, 5, 10, or 20 g/L calcium, and 15 g/L salt. After immersion, curd weight change, moisture, pH, sodium, serum calcium and total calcium levels were measured. When calcium levels in solution increased, curd moisture, pH, and weight gain decreased while serum and total calcium levels increased significantly. Similarly, unsalted milled Cheddar cheese curds were immersed at 22°C for 6 h in test solution with 30, 60, 90, or 120 g/L salt in addition to 6 g/L calcium. The salt level in solution was inversely proportional with weight change, moisture, and salt level of curd.

No description available.

No description available.

Os consumidores estão cada vez mais conscientes e informados sobre a relação entre ingestão de sódio e o desenvolvimento da hipertensão. Desta forma, a indústria de alimentos vem desenvolvendo numerosos produtos com baixo teor de sódio para atender às necessidades deste novo perfil de consumidores. O presente projeto estudou os impactos tecnológicos, sensoriais e microbiológicos em salsichas com teor reduzido de sódio, adicionadas de fosfato e cloreto de potássio. Foram realizadas avaliações em duas matrizes cárneas: a) com carne bovina e suína e b) de carne mecanicamente separada (CMS) de frango. Na primeira etapa foram estudadas emulsões, na qual a otimização do processo utilizou como técnica o planejamento fatorial com delineamento composto central rotacional - DCCR, baseado na Metodologia de Superfície de Resposta, sendo as variáveis independentes: fosfato, cloreto de sódio e cloreto de potássio. Esta etapa foi realizada em sistema modelo obtendo as massas em mini cutter com todos os ingredientes previstos para obtenção de salsicha, variando os teores de fosfato, sal (NaCl) e cloreto de potássio (KCl). Na segunda etapa os melhores níveis de fosfato e KCl foram fixados e o cloreto de sódio continuou sendo avaliado em 3 níveis (1,00%, 1,30% e 1,75%), os tratamentos foram processados em planta piloto e realizados as análises físico-químicas, tecnológicas, microbiológicas e sensoriais. Os tratamentos foram monitorados ao longo de 56 dias nos produtos embalados à vácuo e estocados à 5 ± 2ºC em cinco períodos (1, 14, 28, 42 e 56 dias). Na emulsão de carne os melhores níveis de KCl e fosfato foram 0,85% e 0,25% respectivamente e na salsicha os tratamentos com 1,30 e 1,75% de NaCl apresentaram melhor desempenho na maioria das análises, principalmente na análise sensorial com consumidor. Já na emulsão de CMS os melhores níveis de KCl e fosfato foram 0,46% e 0,40%, respectivamente e na salsicha de CMS os tratamentos com 1,3% e 1,75% de NaCl apresentaram os melhores resultados principalmente na análise sensorial com consumidor. A redução da adição de 1,75% de NaCl para 1,3%, representa uma redução de cloreto de sódio de aproximadamente 25% e é viável do ponto de vista tecnológico, microbiológico e sensorial. / Consumers are increasingly aware and informed about the relationship between sodium intake and the development of hypertension with subsequent coronary problems. Thus, the food industry has developed numerous products with low sodium content to meet the needs of this new consumer profile. This project studied the technological, sensory, and microbiological impacts on low sodium sausages, with phosphate and potassium chloride added. Evaluations were performed in two meat matrices: a) beef and pork b) mechanically recovered poultry meat (MRPM). In the first stage, emulsions were studied, in which the optimization process used the technique of factorial design with a central composite design, based on Response Surface Methodology, and the independent variables were phosphate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride. This stage was performed in a model system obtaining the mass in a mini cutter with all the ingredients to obtain sausage with varying levels of phosphate, salt (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl). In the second stage, the best levels of phosphate and KCl were fixed and sodium chloride remained rated at three contents (1.00 %, 1.30 %, and 1.75 %). The treatments were processed in a pilot plant and the physical/chemical, technological, microbiological, and sensorial analyses were performed. The treatments were monitored over 56 days in vacuum packaged products and stored at 5 ± 2°C in five periods (1, 14, 28, 42, and 56 days). In meat emulsion, the best contents of KCl and phosphate were 0.85% and 0.25%, respectively. In sausage, the treatments with 1.30 and 1.75% NaCl showed the best performance in most analyses, mainly in the sensory analysis. In emulsion of mechanically recovered poultry meat, the best contents of KCl and phosphate were 0.46 % and 0.40 %, respectively, and sausage MRPM treatments with 1.3% and 1.75% NaCl showed the best results mainly in the sensory analysis. The reduction of 1.75% to 1.3% of NaCl represents a reduction of about 25% of sodium chloride and is viable in terms of technological, microbiological, and sensorial aspects.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has ruled that all sealed radioactive sources, even those considered exempt under Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations, are subject to radioactive material controls. However, sources based on the primordial isotope potassium-40 (40K) are not subject to these restrictions. Potassium-40’s beta spectrum and 1460.8 keV gamma ray can be used to induce K-shell fluorescence x rays in high-Z metals between 60 and 80 keV. A gamma ray calibration source is thus proposed that uses potassium chloride salt and a high-Z metal to create a two-point calibration for a sodium iodide field gamma spectroscopy instrument. The calibration source was designed in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratory using the Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended (MCNPX) transport code. The x ray production was maximized while attempting to preserve the detector system’s sensitivity to external sources by minimizing the count rate and shielding effect of the calibration source. Since the source is intended to be semi-permanently fixed to the detector, the weight of the calibration source was also a design factor. Two methods of x-ray production were explored. First, a thin high-Z layer (HZL) was interposed between the detector and the potassium chloride-urethane source matrix. Second, bismuth metal powder was homogeneously mixed with a urethane binding agent to form a potassium chloride-bismuth matrix (KBM). The two methods were directly compared using a series of simulations, including their x ray peak strengths, pulse-height spectral characteristics, and response to a simulated background environment. The bismuth-based source was selected as the development model because it is cheap, nontoxic, and outperforms the high-Z layer method in simulation. The overall performance for the bismuth-based source was significantly improved by splitting the calibration source longitudinally into two halves and placing them on either side of the detector. The performance was improved further by removing the binding agent and simulating a homogeneous mixture of potassium chloride and bismuth powder in a 0.1 cm plastic casing. The split plastic-encased potassium chloride-bismuth matrix would serve as a light, cheap, field calibration source that is not subject to DOE restrictions.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Neuroscience) -- University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-96). Free to UCDHSC affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;