Structural and Compositional Study of Human Brain Tissues Using X-Ray Fluorescence and Mossbauer Spectroscopy

Human brain tissue samples were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique. Ten specimens were obtained from six male donors of age between 38 and 72 years. Lyophilized tissues were mechanically crushed into a powder form and pressed into pellets. Elemental analysis performed using Amptek Experimenter' XRF Kit identified the following elements: Al, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and As. The most abundant elements were P, S, Ca, Fe, and K. Some dependence of an element abundance on the age of a donor was observed for K (decreasing tendency with age) and for Ca and Zn (increasing tendency with age). XRF results were complemented and compared with Mossbauer spectroscopy measurements performed at room temperature (similar to 300 K). Mossbauer spectra were collected in transmission mode employing Co-57 source embedded in a rhodium matrix. Applied evaluation procedure of spectra disclosed the presence of the trivalent ferritin-like iron, specifically ferrihydrite and hematite in molecule of ferritin in the form of small particles exhibiting superparamagnetic behavior. Relatively high linewidths values point at a distribution of environments with respect to electron density and/or a presence of another non-magnetic component. Anticipated correlation between the effect of Mossbauer spectra and iron content derived from XRF spectra analysis was confirmed.