Determination of germanium in human serum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using a chemical modifier

Abstract

A new method was developed for the determination of trace germanium in human serum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using a chemical modifier. The influence of several chemical modifiers on the determination of germanium was investigated. It was found that lanthanum as a chemical modifier has a higher sensitivity and offers an advantage against interferences from the background of serum. A series of human serum samples were successfully analysed with a detection limit of 133 pg Ge and relative standard deviation of about 3%.