About Authors:
P.Abisha1*, D.ANANTHA LAKSHMI2
1 II M.Sc Biochemistry,
2 HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY
ST.PIOUS X DEGREE AND PG COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, NACHARAM, HYDERABAD
*godsbloved@yahoo.in
ABSTRACT
Sodium is an essential element for all animal life (including human) and for some plant species. In animals, sodium ions are necessary for regulation of blood and body fluids, transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity, and certain metabolic functions. Sodium is the chief cation in extracellular compartment of animal body.
Sodium plays a vital role not only in human body but also in various food types. Sodium chloride is the principal source of sodium in the diet, and is used as seasoning and preservative, such as for pickling and jerky; most of it comes from processed foods.
The sodium content in various foods can be analyzed by using Flame Photometry. Flame photometry also called flame atomic emission spectrometry is a branch of atomic spectroscopy in which the species examined in the spectrometer are in the form of atoms.
The samples used for analysis are junk foods which have become a common trend among all generations. A total of 15 junk foods were processed and analyzed for estimating the sodium content in them by Flame Photometry.
Based on the analysis the samples were categorized into low, moderate and high sodium containing foods. The analysis helps in creating awareness among all the generations to reduce the sodium intake in order to prevent problems like hypertension, hyponatremia, hypernatremia and associated medical complications in their future.