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This paper reports the development of a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibration procedure for the determination of sodium and potassium content in cured ham samples. Sliced samples of hams treated with different salts in different percentages were included in the study. Calibration models developed using partial least squares regression were cross-validated and predictive models were tested using the samples of cured ham with low sodium content. The results showed that the developed NIRS procedure is capable of directly measuring the potassium content of packaged dry-cured ham slices with low sodium content with a fitting accuracy of 91.44%, and that it can indirectly determine the sodium content by applying a correction factor to the values obtained for potassium. The prediction error between the calculated and actual sodium values determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry (ICP-AES) was 0.004%, and this confirms that the NIRS procedure is a viable option for the determination of sodium and potassium content in this type of sample.

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In this work, non-invasive near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) combined with chemometrics was evaluated as a possible online analytical technique to categorize pieces of cured ham on the industrial production line based on their maximum sodium content. Stifle muscle was selected for the development of the NIRS prediction models because it is the one with the highest sodium content and the easiest in terms of accessibility for spectral measurement. In the study, samples with varying thicknesses were taken. The suitability of this method is demonstrated when a 5 mm sample is used for the construction of the model, obtaining the best fit with an R2cv of 92% and a prediction error of 0.11% sodium that coincides with the error of the reference method. In conclusion, a method is proposed for the direct determination of sodium content on the production line which allows the different pieces of ham to be quickly categorized according to their salt content.

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NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric methods has been used to develop a prediction models of the most influential parameters in curing process of two types of hams (140 hams) using different salting techniques, lean hams salted on a tray and fatty hams in a tub, in which sodium is partially replaced. Spectral data were examined by principal component analysis and cross-validated calibration equations were developed using partial-least squares regression. Calibration errors for each parameter, obtained from cross validation (RMSECV), were similar to those obtained by reference method. For lean and fatty hams the RMSECV values were: Moisture 0.78% and 0.80; Fat 2.5 and 1.2%; Protein 0.7 and 1.7%; water activity 0.008 and 0.006; Proteolysis Index 1.6 and 1.7%; Sodium 0.11 and 0.10%; and Potassium 0.04 and 0.10. Results allow the prediction of the parameters involved in ham curing process, demonstrating the viability of the proposed method for the control and monitoring of the different stages until obtaining the final product.

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Temperature fluctuations are a key factor in the development of prediction models using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). In the present study, this influence has been investigated and a methodology has been proposed to reduce the effect of sample temperature on NIRS model prediction of the sodium content in dry-cured ham slices. Spectra were taken directly from the slices using a remote measurement probe (for non-contact analysis) at three different temperature ranges: -12 °C to -5°C, -5°C to 10 °C and 10 °C to 20 °C. Local and global temperature compensation methods were established. Partial-least squares (PLS) regression was used as a chemometrics tool to perform the calibrations. The results showed that local models were sensitive to changes in temperature, while a global temperature model using sample spectra over the entire temperature range showed good prediction ability, reducing the error caused by temperature fluctuations to acceptable levels for practical applications.

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In the present study, non-invasive near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was evaluated as a potential on-line analytical technique to predict the sodium content in dry-cured ham slices. Samples of 310 packages were scanned by applying a remote fibre-optic probe to the surface of the slices, at different temperatures, with no previous manipulation. The sodium content of the meat samples was determined by a reference method based on Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry (ICP-AES) after chemical digestion. Partial least squares (PLS) regression was used as a chemometrics method to perform the calibrations. The models yielded acceptable results with cross validation correlation coefficients (R2CV) determined 86.2-90.2%. The prediction capacity reached in the external validation was 3.63, with a standard prediction error of 0.12% Na. These results show that NIR measurements could be implemented on the packaging line of dry-cured ham slices to provide accurate and relevant information about the sodium content of each packaged products.

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(131)I, commonly used in nuclear medicine, can be incorporated into the human body in a variety of chemical and physical forms. This study describes a sensitive method for the determination of (131)I concentration and its application to the estimation of the amount of airborne (131)I inhaled by staff workers of a Nuclear Medicine Department. Our method uses passive sampling with charcoal canisters followed by liquid scintillation counting, a very sensitive technique for the determination of low concentrations of airborne (131)I. We have studied the effects caused on the measured (131)I concentration in air by both, the doses administered to the patients and the distance of sampling canisters to the patient. We have found a direct relationship between the amount of (131)I activity administered and the airborne (131)I activity concentration. We have estimated the contribution of inhaled (131)I to the effective dose received by staff, finding differences between physicians and non-physician personnel. However, the measured exposure was quite low in both cases, thus suggesting that there is no need to introduce additional safety measures to the current ones.

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The levels of (210)Po, nutrients (NH(4)(+), NO(3)(-), PO(4)(3 -)) and major ions (Na(+), K(+), Mg(2 +), Ca(2 +), F(-), NO(2 -), Br(-), Cl(-), SO(4)(2 -)) were determined, by means of lysimeter experiences, in drainage waters for agricultural soils untreated and treated with different types of fertilizers (animal manure, sewage sludge and NPK synthetic fertilizer) applied at several rates. Analytical determinations were performed by using alpha -spectrometry in the case of (210)Po, or Ion Exchange liquid chromatography for the other ionic species. Statistical uni and multivariate analysis of the results shown significant differences among lixiviates according to the different fertilizer treatments. Sewage sludge and manure applications resulted in similar compositions of lixiviates with low (210)Po levels, whereas synthetic fertilizers produced higher (210)Po concentrations and different concentration patterns of ionic species when applied at or above the recommended rates. All (210)Po levels were well below the limits proposed by the 2001/928/ Euratom Recommendation. The concentrations of the rest of the ionic species, exception made from NH(4)(+) and NO(3)(-), were also below the limits proposed by Spanish regulations.

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A dithizone (DTZ) modified carbon paste electrode was developed for the sensitive and selective determination of Pb(II) using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry as well in batch as in FIA system. The analysis procedure is based on an open circuit accumulation step in a stirred sample solution. This was followed by a medium exchange to a clean solution and subsequently by a proper anodic stripping. The analytical performance was evaluated with respect to the quantity of modifier in the paste, accumulation time, background electrolyte, Pb(II) concentration and other variables. When the accumulation time applied was 5 minutes, linear calibration graphs were obtained in the concentration range 1 x 10(-7)-1 x 10(-5) M and 8 x 10(-8)-5 x 10(-6) M for batch and Flow Injection Analysis (FIA), respectively. The detection limits found were 8.65 x 10(-8) M in batch and 4.45 x 10(-8) M in FIA. A convenient and rapid renewal of electrode surface allows the use of a single modified electrode surface in multiple analytical determinations. Several coexisting metals ions such as Cd(II), Hg(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) had no interference on the determination of Pb(II). The proposed method was applied in the determination of lead in soils located in the vicinity of metallurgic transformation industry. The results obtained were in accordance to the ones supplied by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS).

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