Pages: (1-8 )
Abstract
Copper and calcium concentrations in hair and fingernail were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS).The mean copper in hair and fingernail were 0.19 ± 0.11mg/g and 0.62± 0.46 mg/g while
the mean calcium in hair and fingernail were 0.90 ± 0.56mg/g and 7.43±4.91mg/g respectively. There was a progressive increase in calcium concentrations in hair and fingernails with age. A significant difference (p≤0.05) was indicated when their means were compared. Comparing the mean copper concentrations in hair with the fingernails a significant difference is indicated in the two tissues (p≤0.05). Human hair and fingernails are therefore recording filaments that can reflect metabolic changes over long periods of time and hence furnish a print out of post nutritional event as dietary levels of some of the essential micro-elements
Keywords: Copper, calcium, hair, fingernail, determination,