Direct microcomputer controlled determination of zinc in human serum by flow injection atomic absorption spectrometry

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A procedure is described for the direct determination of zinc in human serum by fully automated, microcomputer controlled flow injection atomic absorption spectrometry (Fl-AAS). The Fl system is pumpless, using the negative pressure created by the nebuliser. It only consists of a three-way valve, programmable from the microcomputer, to control the sample volume. No pre-treatment of the samples is necessary. The limit of detection is 0.14 mg l–1, and only small amounts of serum (<150 µl) are needed for the analysis. The accuracy, as estimated by analysing sera with known amounts of zinc, is excellent, and the between batch precision is ca. 5% RSD. Peak-area measurements are used in the procedure; as a consequence the quantitation can be carried out by use of an aqueous calibration graph. The sample throughput is 40 h–1, making the procedure well suited for routine clinical analysis.


Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry
Volume1
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)453-456
Number of pages4
ISSN0267-9477
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1986

ID: 46407611