Determination of gold in tissue and faeces by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry using carbon rod atomisation

Abstract

A simple and accurate atomic-absorption spectrophotometric method is described for the measurement of gold in tissue and faeces following chrysotherapy. Samples and standards are disrupted with a quaternary ammonium hydroxide solubiliser in toluene, diluted with isobutyl methyl ketone, and analysed directly using a carbon rod atomiser. The detection limit for gold is 50 ± 25 pg and the calibration graph is linear up to approximately 3 ng. Concentrations of gold in tissue determined by this method correlate well with results obtained by flame atomic-absorption spectrophotometry and by neutron-activation analysis.