Analysis and discussion of trace elements in teeth of different animal species

Human, bovine and swine teeth were analyzed by Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). The aim of this work was to determine the concentration of trace elements in enamel and dentine of different animal species. PIXE analysis was carried out at the Laboratório de Análise de Materiais por Feixes Iônicos da USP (LAMFI) using a 2.4 MeV proton beam to probe the samples. Healthy teeth from São Paulo region were analyzed. Thirteen elements were measured and quantified in the samples: P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr and Ba. The measured ratio of Ca:P in dentine and enamel teeth is the s...