Radionuclide, Radiochemical and Chemical Evaluation of Elutes Obtained from 99 Mo/99m Tc Generators

Background and 99mTc is a widely used radionuclide in nuclear medicine and research nowadays. Two types of 99 Mo/99mTc generators were studied in 2013 and 2014 to test the quality of the eluates. In this study we measured the radionuclide purity for possible 99Mo breakthrough، the radiochemical purity، the pH، and the aluminum content of eluates. Two type generators were eluted ten times for ten consecutive weeks، starting the morning after the generator had been received and evaluation of eluate of three generators was performed 72 hours after the first elution for three consecutive weeks. 99Mo quantity in pertechnetate was determined using dose calibrator and a 99Mo assay shield. Radiochemical purity (RCP) was evaluated by thin layer chromatography (TLC)، ITLC-SG strips and acetone. The pH was measured using pH usual indicator strips. Al3+ ion was measured colorimetrically. The presence of 99Mo was detected in all eluates examined. In this study the level of molybdenum، in all weeks were lower than 0. 15 μCi of 99Mo per mCi of 99mTc. Hydrolyzed reduced 99mTc was not found in any of the eluates examined. All of the eluates had pH values between 5-7. In all the eluates tested، the amount of aluminum was lower than 10 μg /ml. Performing quality control procedures in nuclear medicine centers is very important. It is suggested to check each new generator prior use for the first eluate especially on 99Mo breakthrough.