Sains Malaysiana 46(1)(2017): 75–82

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2017-4601-10

Analysing Human Nails Composition by Using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

(Analisis Komposisi Kuku Manusia Menggunakan Spektroskopi Pemecahan Teraruh Laser)

HANIN ATHIRAH HARUN*, ROSLINDA ZAINAL & YAACOB MAT DAUD

Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

Received: 30 January 2016/Accepted: 7 April 2016

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the elemental composition of pathological and normal nails, according to different age groups and genders. The nail elemental composition was analyzed by using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm with output energy of 100 mJ, pulse duration of 6 ns and repetition rate of 1 Hz was fired to the human nails sample. The laser pulse ablated the target sample surface and produced plasma plume with characteristic spectral line comprising sample's elemental composition. The plasma emission spectrum of nail samples were captured by fibre optic detection device and spectrometer equipped with ASEQ Spectra Software for elemental analysis. The elements detected in nails were Mg, Al, Ca, P, Ti, K and Na. Classification of nails into different age groups and genders demonstrate efficient results if compared with Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). The results indicate that Ca, Al, Ti, P and K composition were higher among female. However, Mg and Na were higher among male. The results also show that Ca and K element decline as the age increase in both genders. The pathological nails' elemental compositions were also noticeably related to the nail disorder condition itself. It is proven that LIBS could be a possible method for analyzing the nails and identification of various nail disorders.

Keywords: Biological sample; elemental composition; laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS); nail disorder; pathological nail

ABSTRAK

Penyelidikan ini mengkaji komposisi unsur bagi kuku normal dan berpenyakit mengikut perbezaan kumpulan umur dan jantina. Komposisi unsur kuku dianalisis dengan menggunakan teknik Spektroskopi Pemecahan Teraruh Laser (LIBS). Laser Q-suis Nd:YAG 1064 nm dengan keluaran tenaga 100 mJ, tempoh denyutan 6 ns dan kadar pengulangan 1 Hz ditembak pada kuku manusia. Laser yang terkena permukaan sampel akan menghasilkan kepulan plasma yang mempunyai ciri garis spektrum tersendiri dan terdiri daripada komposisi unsur sampel. Spektrum pancaran plasma daripada sampel kuku ditangkap oleh alat gentian optik dan spektrometer dilengkapi perisian ASEQ Spectra untuk analisis unsur. Unsur yang dikesan di dalam kuku adalah Mg, Al, Ca, P, Ti, K dan Na. Pengelasan kuku kepada perbezaan kumpulan umur dan jantina menunjukkan keputusan yang bertepatan dengan Rujukan Pengambilan Makanan. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa komposisi Ca, Al, Ti, P dan K lebih tinggi dalam kalangan perempuan. Walau bagaimanapun, Mg dan Na lebih tinggi dalam kalangan lelaki. Keputusan juga menunjukkan bahawa unsur Ca dan K berkurangan dengan peningkatan umur bagi kedua-dua jantina. Komposisi unsur kuku berpenyakit pula menunjukkan kaitan yang jelas dengan keadaan masalah kuku itu sendiri. Jadi, terbukti teknik LIBS merupakan kaedah berpotensi untuk menganalisis kuku dan mengenal pasti pelbagai masalah kuku.

Kata kunci: Komposisi unsur; kuku bermasalah; kuku patologi; sampel biologi; teknik spektroskopi pemecahan teraruh laser (LIBS)

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*Corresponding author; email: xiahanin@gmail.com