Estudio de la radioactividad y el poder antioxidante de tubérculos andinos

Abstract

The aim of the experimental work was to study the radioactivity and antioxidant power of Andean tubers such as mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum), melloco (Ullucus tuberosus Loz), oca (Oxalis tuberosa) and white carrot (Arracacia xanthorrhiza). Each parameter was quantified with multiple analytical methods. UV-Visible spectrophotometry was used for phenolic compounds and high-efficiency liquid chromatography was used for vitamins. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used in the quantification of lead and finally the Electret Ion Chamber technique was used for the radon exhalation rate. From these quantifications it was obtained as a result that the oca has the highest radon surface exhalation rate and a low value of vitamins. It was also evidenced that mashua contains the highest concentration of phenolic compounds, which is why it was considered the sample with the highest antioxidant power, and carrot the one with the lowest antioxidant power. It is concluded that there is no defined correlation among the surface exhalation of radon, the content of vitamins and the concentration of phenolic compounds in the tubers, because the tuber with the highest antioxidant capacity did not present a high radioactivity expressed in terms of the average rate of surface radon exhalation. Regarding the land of San Juan community and the Santa Cruz neighborhood, where the tubers are grown, they presented the same surface radon exhalation rate, but lower than all the tubers. Based on these data, it is recommended to continue analyzing similar samples to establish future comparisons, which can be used for the analysis of the foods consumed in the Andean zone of Ecuador.