Activation Analysis Methods and ApplicationsThe 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 . 1013 n . cm-2 . s-1. The Ag content was calculated from the gamma-line of radionuclide 110mAg (T1/2 = 250.4d, Eγ= 657.7keV). The U content was calculated from the gamma-lines (228.2 keV, 277.8 keV) of radionuclide 239Np (T1/2 = 2.35 d). The error of U and Ag determination (relative standard deviation) was 2-3%.