The determination of silicon in biological material was investigated using solution absorption spectrometry (SAS) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Most analytical reagents and ion-free waters contain enough silicon to cause high blanks, and require purification. Glassware and silica ware should not be used. Standard silica solutions do not polymerise in a week if the silicon concentration is below 100mglitre-'. Biological materials were dry-ashed and then fused with pure sodium tetraborate before dissolution in dilute nitric acid. Phosphates interfere with SAS if the P:Si ratio exceeds 5 : l but can be removed by precipitation. They interfere somewhat less with AAS if the P: Si ratio exceeds 20: 1. Borates, calcium, potassium and sodium do not interfere with AAS at ratios B : Si = 500 : 1, Ca : Si = 200 : 1, K : Si = 100 : 1, Na : Si = 1000 : 1. Determinations of silicon in foods by both methods agreed, and barley and oats were found to have a high silicon content. The average British diet is estimated to contain 31mg silicon day-'.
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