Elemental Composition (Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Cr, Zn, Se, and I) of Daily Diet Samples from Some Old Peopleʹs Homes in Slovenia

Modern analytical methods such as radiochemical and instrumental neutron activation analysis (RNAA and INAA), and electrothermal and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS and FAAS), were used to determine concentration levels of elements Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, I, and Se in 51 carefully prepared composite samples of total daily diets from some old peopleʹs homes in different parts of Slovenia for the summer period of the year 1992. The reliability of the results was checked by the analysis of compositionally similar certified standard reference materials (SRMs). Concentration levels of all essential elements were mostly below the recommended dietary allowance values (RDA) even when only 60% of the RDA value was taken into account.