Biochemical Applications of Flame Emission and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Abstract

Certain aspects of the current status of biochemical applications of flame emission and atomic absorption spectroscopy are discussed. Various techniques described for determination of 21 elements are compared. Interferences due to the composition of the biological matrix are emphasized.

Determination of trace concentrations of cobalt(II) and other metals by the chemiluminescent oxidation of gallic acid

“…The RSD for this CL method is less than 5% over the range 10™3 to 10™7 M, increasing to the detection limit at 7 X 10™9 M or 0.4 ppb. The limit of detection for cobalt by flame atomic absorption is 10 ppb (12). A recent colorimetric method for cobalt (13) is limited to the range of 20 ppb to 600 ppb and requires 3 h at elevated temperature for color development.…”

Internal-standardization in flame analyses using a vidicon spectrometer

“…Atomic absorption adequately resolves the 0.07-nm analyte-interferent line separation. The sensitivity of the technique allows for matrix dilution, and the addition of releasing agents to compensate for matrix effects (21).…”

Inexpensive, wavelength-modulated filter flame photometer

“…In contrast, the person using a filter photometer must use two solutions-the sample and also a blank solution whose value must be subtracted in order to obtain the true emission signal. If the sample is present in a complex matrix, either great care (1) must be taken to exactly duplicate the matrix in this blank solution, or internal standardization must be employed.…”