Determination of total carbon in biological materials

Abstract

A method has been developed for the determination of carbon in biological materials with a high carbon content using combustion analysis instrumentation designed for the determination of low total carbon and sulphur content in metals. Modifications were made to the analytical procedure to accomplish these analyses, but no modifications to the instrumentation were necessary. Nine biological Standard Reference Materials from the National Bureau of Standards were analysed for total carbon and the accuracy and precision of the results were compared with literature values obtained with alternative procedures such as prompt gamma activation analysis and commercial C, H and N analysers. The differences between the values obtained in this study and the literature values ranged from 0.5 to 2.0%. The practicality of using a combustion analyser intended for metals analysis is discussed for the analysis of a variety of biological materials.