The use of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) in biotechnology

INAA was applied for searching more effective biosorbents for U and Ag among 9 and 47 strains of actinomyces, respectively. Biomasses of strains were tested for the Ag and U sorption capacity from model solution, containing 50 mg/l Ag ions and from technological solution of U-production, containing 7.11 mg/l U ions. The U and Ag samples were irradiated for 5 hours and 20 hours, respectively, at a neutron flux density of 5.3(.)10(13) n(.)cm(-1.)s(-1). The Ag content was calculated from the gamma-line of radionuclide Ag-110m (T-1/2 = 250.4 d, E gamma = 657.7 keV). The U content was calculated from the gamma-lines (228.2 keV, 277.8 keV) of radionuclide Np-239 (T-1/2 = 2.35 d). The error of U and Ag determination (relative standard deviation) was 2-3%.