Determination of aluminum and phosphorus in biological materials by reactor activation analysis using germanium as integral flux monitor and comparator

A method for determination of aluminum and phosphorus in biological materials, based on activation in a nuclear reactor and measurement of²⁸Al, produced by the²⁷Al(n, γ)²⁸Al and³¹P(n, α)²⁸Al reactions, is described. Irradiations in the undisturbed and epicadmium spectra provide a two-equation system in order to determine the contributions of aluminum and phosphorus to the total activities. Germanium is used as an integral flux monitor and comparator, through the reactions:⁷⁴Ge(n,γ)⁷⁵Ge,⁷⁶Ge(n,γ)⁷⁷Ge, and⁷⁷Ge, and⁷²Ge (n,p)⁷²Ga.