Effective atomic number studies in coconut oil samples using 662 keV gamma rays

• Main Authors: Thulasi, P. V., Joseph, Antony, Varier, K. M.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atomic properties; Attenuation coefficients; Coconut oil; Constituents; Dosimeters; Edible oils; Fatty acids; Gamma ray spectrometers; Gamma rays; Interpolation; Nondestructive testing; Paraffins; Polynomials
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0058266

Gamma ray attenuation studies play an important role in industry, agriculture, medicine, radiation dosimetry etc. In the present study, we have made an attempt to determine the linear attenuation coefficient for 662 keV gamma rays in pure coconut oil, in paraffin oil and in a mixture of both. From the experimentally obtained linear attenuation coefficients, mass attenuation coefficients were estimated and the corresponding effective atomic number values were determined by the polynomial interpolation method. No experimental studies of this type for oil samples have been reported so far. An advanced GR1-A USB powered gamma ray spectrometer was used in the studies. A narrow beam vertical geometry was employed. The study shows that with increase in the content of paraffin oil present in the coconut oil, an increase in the values of mass attenuation coefficient and a decrease in the effective atomic number take place. Also the mass attenuation coefficient of pure coconut oil (with an average value for weight fraction of different constituent fatty acids) was estimated by the mixture rule, using mass attenuation coefficient of constituent elements obtained from XCOM. The theoretical value is compared with the experimentally obtained mass attenuation coefficient of pure coconut oil and is found to be in good agreement. The results indicate that it can be used as a non-destructive technique for the investigation of adulteration in edible oils.