Abstract
A method was developed to prepare small biological tissue samples (approximately 100 mg) for flameless atomic absorption analysis of aluminum (Al). Screw cap Teflon containers were used in which the samples were dried, acid digested, acid evaporated, and diluted for analysis, minimizing contamination and sample loss. A heatable, semiclosed system was developed in which the nitric and perchloric acids used in tissue digestion could be safely evaporated from the sample containers and collected. Several spectrophotometer operating conditions for Al determination were compared, and a suitable condition was adopted. Analyses for aluminum levels in acid digested samples were conducted at two absorption wavelengths (309.3 and 396.2 nm) and by two analytical procedures (comparison of sample absorbance to standard absorbance and the method of standard additions). The developed method is suitable for analysis of the low levels of aluminum found in biological tissues and probably other elements as well. The method incorporates procedures designed to minimize contamination and the hazards of acid tissue digestion.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
C. S. Cronan and C. L. Schofield,Science 204, 304 (1979).
I. S. Parkinson, M. K. Ward, and D. N. S. Kerr,J. Clin. Path. 34, 1285 (1981).
D. P. Perl and A. R. Brody,Science 208, 297 (1980).
H. J. M. Bowen,At. Energy Rev. 13, 451 (1975).
J. Versieck and R. Cornelis,N. Engl. J. Med. 302, 468 (1980).
S. S. Krishnan, S. Quittkat and D. R. Crapper,Can. J. Spectrosc. 21, 25 (1976).
M. S. Clegg, C. L. Keen, B. Lonnerdal, and L. S. Hurley,Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 3, 107 (1981).
Int. Atomic Energy Agency, Report IAEA/RL/50, Oct. 1978.
S. S. Krishnan, K. A. Gillespie, and D. R. Crapper,Anal. Chem. 44, 1469 (1972).
R. A. Yokel,Clin. Chem. 28, 662 (1982).
J. D. Ganjei and G. H. MorrisonAnal. Chem. 50, 2034 (1978).
J. R. McDermott and I. Whitehill,Anal. Chim. Acta 85, 195 (1976).
J. R. Moody and R. M. Lindstrom,Anal. Chem. 49, 2264 (1977).
F. E. Lichte, S. Hopper, and T. W. Osborn,Anal. Chem. 52, 120 (1980).
A. J. Jackson, L. M. Michael, and H. J. Schumacher,Anal. Chem. 44, 1064 (1972).
K. Everett and F. A. Graf, inHandbook of Laboratory Safety, vol. 2, N. V. Steere, ed., CRC, Cleveland, OH, 1971.
Perkin-Elmer,Analytical Methods for Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, September, 1976.
J. Smeyers-Verbeke, D. Verbeelen, and D. L. Massart,Clin. Chim. Acta 108, 67 (1980).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yokel, R.A., Melograna, J.M. A safe method to acid digest small samples of biological tissues for graphite furnace atomic absorption analysis of aluminum. Biol Trace Elem Res 5, 225–237 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02916626
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02916626
Index Entries
- Aluminum, analysis by wet ashing
- flameless atomic absorption spectrometer
- safe handling of perchloric acid
- contamination, in trace element analysis
- background interference, in Al analysis
- matrix interference, in aluminum analysis
- atomic absorption spectrometry, flameless for Al
- interference, in flameless AAS of Al
- tissue, flameless AAS of Al in
- biological tissue, flameless AAS of Al in