Simultaneous multi-element analysis of blood serum by flow injection-inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry

Abstract

A rapid and precise method for the simultaneous determination of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Li, Cu, Fe, and Zn in blood serum by flow injection analysis-inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry (FIA-ICP-AES) has been developed using aqueous synthetic multi-element solutions for calibration. Performance characteristics of the FIA-ICP-AES technique are documented in terms of the effects of sample injection volume and carrier stream flow-rate on sensitivity and precision. Matrix interference was detected for injections of undiluted serum and the effect was minimised at low injection volumes and/or by using a relatively high RF power. At dilution factors of 1 + 1 (or greater) interference was not observed and reliable data were obtained for human and bovine serum pools for sample injections of 20 µl.