Iron, selenium, and zinc are crucial for growth, immune function, and overall health, particularly in early childhood, where deficiencies can lead to nutritional problems such as stunting, a major health issue in Indonesia. This study measured the concentrations of these minerals in chicken and beef using neutron activation analysis (NAA). A total of 146 samples were collected from 73 traditional markets across five provinces in Java: Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java and Yogyakarta. Samples were irradiated for 2 h at a thermal neutron flux of 1013 n·cm−2·s−1 with the rabbit system at the G.A. Siwabessy Reactor, Serpong, and analyzed using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometer. On a wet-weight basis, chicken contained of 5.85 ± 2.59 µg/g iron, 0.19 ± 0.14 µg/g selenium, and 12.3 ± 7.19 µg/g zinc, while in beef were 15.75 ± 8.66 µg/g, 0.20 ± 0.18 µg/g, and 37.45 ± 16.11 µg/g, respectively. Dietary intake estimates, calculated from national consumption data that contribution from chicken and beef were below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for all three microminerals, with a highest of 18.2% for selenium in adult males. This study provides valuable data for updating the Indonesian Food Composition Table and highlight the application of neutron activation analysis as a reliable tool for food nutrient characterization in Indonesia.
Lestiani et al. (Tue,) studied this question.