Investigation of Human Hair by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Content Element in Human Hair

Abstract

Human hair is a significant biological sample in forensic science, biomedical research, and the cosmetic industry, with the presence of essential nutrients like zinc, copper, and silicon being indicative of health. This study aimed to investigate the elemental composition of human hair using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to assess differences across age groups. Nine volunteers provided hair samples, which were analyzed using the Foster + Freeman ECCO2 LIBS system. Quantitative analysis of elemental concentrations was performed, and elemental ratios, such as Mg/Ca, Mg/Si, Mg/Fe, and Fe/Mn, were calculated to compare the samples. Results demonstrated that LIBS is a fast, accurate, and non-destructive method for detecting and quantifying mineral elements in human hair. The study highlights age-related differences in elemental concentrations, offering insights into the use of hair analysis for monitoring nutritional and health status. LIBS could be a promising tool for further studies in clinical and forensic applications.