Analysis and imaging of boron distribution in maize by quantitative neutron capture radiography

Abstract

Quantitative neutron capture radiography (QNCR) of ¹⁰B found in pre-dried maize samples has been conducted. Calibration standards constructed from filter paper mimicked plant tissues to reduce confounding matrix effects. A mathematical track elimination method improves the LOD as well as the visual contrast image at low boron concentration levels. The LOD for total boron is 1.7 µg/g in a 4 mm² region of interest (ROI). The w(B) in five individual maize tassel meristems has been determined to be 14.9 µg/g - 21.2 µg/g.

Keywords: Boron; Calibration curve; Imaging; Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS); Mass fraction of boron; Quantitative Neutron Capture Radiography (QNCR); TASLIMAGE™ system; w(B).