Determination of copper in plasma ultrafiltrate by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry using carbon furnace atomisation

Abstract

A method for the direct determination of the level of copper in plasma ultrafiltrate using atomic-absorption spectrometry with carbon furnace atomisation is reported. The relative standard deviation and the detection limit expressed as 2δ were 3.6%(50 µl of 0.05 µg ml^–1 copper solution) and 0.0036 µg ml^–1, respectively. Interferences from the salt matrix, the use of background correction and the problems of contamination caused by the low level of copper are discussed. The method has been applied to the determination of the level of copper in the plasma ultrafiltrate of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.