Elemental Characterization of the Oat Cultivar ‘URS OLADA’ (Avena sativa L.) Using PIXE, micro-PIXE, and RBS Techniques

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is a widely cultivated and consumed grass species worldwide, with diverse applications in human food and animal feed. Despite its importance and relevance in the academic context, the elemental distribution of the plant throughout its development has not been sufficiently explored and requires further studies. This work aims to evaluate the concentration of some chemical elements in specific tissues and parts of the cultivar “URS OLADA”, with a detailed emphasis on seed development. The methodology consists of the analysis of different parts of the plant at multiple growth stages, in addition to seeds subjected to different germination times. The analysis of elemental concentrations is performed using Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) and Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) techniques, which are capable of measuring a large number of samples and determining average values of elemental concentrations. The study also explores elemental mapping within the internal structure of the grain, performed using the Micro Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (micro-PIXE) technique. To date, the work comprises approximately 60 exploratory measurements, consolidating a sample preparation methodology that was tested and filtered, which will be used for the definitive measurements. The preliminary results allowed the elemental matrix of the plant and the cultivated soil to be determined, as well as the identification of the predominant trace elements in the seed and in some parts of the plant.