Nutritional Element Detection In Human Nails Using Microplasma Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Various nutritional elements (Mg, Ca, K, etc.) are underconsumed in the USA according to the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee relative to the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and are considered shortfall nutrients of public health concern
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. This research is intended to determine if these nutritional elements can be detected in human nails to create a new simple, portable detection device for assessing dietary shortfalls in various populations. The method used will be a form of microplasma induced breakdown spectroscopy (MIBS) to compare the intensity of an elemental emission line to that of a control element to determine the relative concentration of the nutritional element (typically in the range of 10s to 100s of ppm). Careful consideration of electrode material is given to avoid spectral interference with the nutritional elements. Various types of plasma (ns-pulsed, glow, arc, etc.) that are capable of vaporizing a portion of the nail for spectral analysis are considered both for level of detection as well as feasibility for use in the portable detection unit.