A comparison of two digestion procedures for the determination of selenium in biological material

Two digestion procedures have been tested on samples of flour, blood and urine for application in the determination of selenium by hydride-generation atomic-absorption spectrometry. The first utilizes a mixture of concentrated nitric, perchloric and sulphuric acids and the second a mixture of magnesium nitrate hexahydrate, concentrated nitric acid and 6M hydrochloric acid. The accuracy of the procedures was tested by analysis of standard reference materials and by comparison with results from neutron-activation analysis. It was found that the "magnesium method" can replace the more common procedure, which includes perchloric acid, for the sample types investigated in this paper.     

Microdetermination of iron in plant tissue with 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline

A method is described for the wet digestion and colorimetric determination of small amounts of iron in plant tissues. The wet digestion uses a mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids instead of perchloric acid; a volumetric flask is used for weighing, digestion, and dilution. The iron complex with 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline is extracted into hexanol.     

Determination of selenium in human tissues by atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple method is described for the determination of selenium in human tissues without the use of perchloric acid. Digestion with nitric and sulphuric acids is followed by hydride generation and atomic absorption spectrometry. Results for NBS bovine liver and IAEA horse kidney reference materials were in good agreement with assigned concentrations, as was also achieved with the perchloric acid digestion. Recovery of added selenium was >90%, and the relative standard deviation was 5.5% for within-batch and 6.9% for between-batch analyses. The values of selenium in heart tissue were 0.9–1.3 μg g^?1 dry weight.     

Determination of traces of molybdenum in foods by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Low levels of molybdenum in different food samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization after destruction of organic matter using four different methods, involving dry ashing at 600°C, wet digestion with heating with nitric/sulphuric and nitric/sulphuric/perchloric acid mixtures or direct extraction with dilute hydrochloric acid. In all cases the working conditions, reproducibility, precision and accuracy were investigated. The dry ashing method was generally the optimum destruction method.     

Determination of phosphorus in phosphazenes and phosphines

An improved technique for the determination of phosphorus in organic phosphazenes and phosphines is described. An acid digestion using a mixture of fuming nitric, sulphuric and perchloric acids converts the organically bound phosphorus into orthophosphate. The orthophosphate is precipitated as magnesium ammonium phosphate, which is ignited to magnesium pyrophosphate. With this technique phosphorus was determined in several compounds. The results establish both good accuracy and precision for the method.     

Determination of total chromium in terrestrial and marine samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after pressure digestion

A comparison between two commonly used sample digestion procedures was performed for the determination of total chromium in biological matrices. Ten reference materials (terrestrial and marine matrices) have been digested in HNO₃, HNO₃ + HClO₄ and HNO₃ + HF, respectively, under pressure in quartz vessels of a high pressure asher (HPA) or in PTFE bombs with external heating. Much lower chromium values than expected were obtained in most of the reference materials by using quartz vessels with nitric acid because of adsorption of chromium at quartz surfaces. Determinations after sample digestion in PTFE vessels with external heating showed expected results, except in some reference materials which precipitated more silica. An improvement of the results was observed by using a mixture of nitric acid and perchloric acid, but only the combination of nitric acid and a small amount of HF provided the desired results in all the reference materials studied. Received: 29 January 1997 / Revised: 20 May 1997 / Accepted: 22 May 1997     

Determination of total chromium in terrestrial and marine samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after pressure digestion

A comparison between two commonly used sample digestion procedures was performed for the determination of total chromium in biological matrices. Ten reference materials (terrestrial and marine matrices) have been digested in HNO₃, HNO₃ + HClO₄ and HNO₃ + HF, respectively, under pressure in quartz vessels of a high pressure asher (HPA) or in PTFE bombs with external heating. Much lower chromium values than expected were obtained in most of the reference materials by using quartz vessels with nitric acid because of adsorption of chromium at quartz surfaces. Determinations after sample digestion in PTFE vessels with external heating showed expected results, except in some reference materials which precipitated more silica. An improvement of the results was observed by using a mixture of nitric acid and perchloric acid, but only the combination of nitric acid and a small amount of HF provided the desired results in all the reference materials studied. Received: 29 January 1997 / Revised: 20 May 1997 / Accepted: 22 May 1997     

A decomposition procedure for the determination of arsenic in marine samples

The use of wet and dry ashing procedures to decompose marine biological tissues and to degrade organoarsenic compounds to inorganic arsenic for analysis by zinc-column arsine generation and atomic-absorption spectrophotometry was investigated. Wet ashing with nitric, sulphuric and perchloric acids (10:2:3 v/v) released the largest percentage of arsenic from fish tissue and quantitatively degraded methylated and other organoarsenic compounds to inorganic arsenic. The arsenic concentrations found when standard reference materials were ashed with this acid mixture were in agreement with the certified values.     

Decomposition of vegetables for determination of Zn,Cd, Pb and Cu by stripping voltammetry

A simple and accurate digestion method using nitric acid, perchloric acid and hydrogen peroxide has been developed for use in trace analysis for heavy metals in vegetables by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The recovery of the metals from the samples is lower if the hydrogen peroxide is omitted from the digestion mixture. Standard reference materials have been analysed satisfactorily by this method.     

Cation-exchange behaviour of uranium(vi) on amberlite ir-120 : Separation from mixtures

Quantitative studies are reported on the cation-exchange behaviour of uranium(VI) at the milligram level with Amberlite IR-120. Hydrochloric, nitric, sulphuric, perchloric, acetic and citric acids were tested as cluants; 200–300 ml of 2 N hydrochloric, nitric or sulphuric acid suffice for quantitative elution of 17 mg of uranium(VI) from a 1.4 cm X 14 5 cm bed The efficiency of the elutmg agents is discussed in terms of their elution constants Uranium is separated from thorium by selective elution, from zirconium, cerium(III), copper and nickel by converting the latter into suitable anionic complexes and from phosphate just by passing the mixture through the cation exchanger.     

Microwave desolvation for acid sample introduction in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

This study deals with the behaviour of a microwave desolvation system (MWDS) with acid solutions in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Hydrochloric, nitric, sulphuric and perchloric acids at different concentrations (up to 0.6 mol l⁻¹) have been tested. Sample uptake rate (Q_l) was also varied. The parameters evaluated for each variable were analyte and solvent transport rates and emission intensity. The combination of low acid concentrations (0.05–0.1 mol l⁻¹) and low liquid flows (0.4 ml min⁻¹) leads to the highest analyte transport rate and emission signal and to the lowest solvent transport rate. For Q_l higher than 1.9 ml min⁻¹, the use of an impact bead is advisable. Among the acids tested, sulphuric and perchloric acids give rise to higher emission intensities than hydrochloric acid and nitric acid. Nonetheless, the limits of detection (LODs) obtained with the MWDS are about the same magnitude irrespective of the solution employed. The LODs reached when using the MWDS are similar to those obtained with a desolvation system based on infrared heating of the aerosol.     

Microwave-assisted double insert vapour-phase digestion of organic samples

A microwave-assisted double insert multimode vapour-phase digestion method was developed for the digestion of organic samples. The experimental set-up was based on a third generation-type teflon microwave vessel, equipped with an automatic pressure regulating type vessel cover. A borosilicate glass holder insert, containing a smaller quartz sample insert, was fitted inside the vessel. Sulphuric acid was added to the holder insert as a microwave absorbing and temperature transferring liquid, which transferred heat to the sample insert (into which the sample was weighed) and charred the sample material. Oxidation of the sample material was carried out simultaneously with charring using nitric acid vapour, which was generated by the 1:1 (v/v) sulphuric acid-nitric acid mixture located in the bottom of the microwave vessel. This set-up generated high digestion efficiency, without any of the interferences normally associated with direct sulphuric acid usage. The method was used for determining the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Zn and Fe in certified organic reference materials using ICP-OES instrumentation. The certified organic reference materials were NRCC DOLT-2 dogfish liver, NIST-SRM 1577b bovine liver and IRMM VDA cadmium in polyethylene No. 001 and No. 004. The results were in good agreement with the certified values, forepart from Cd. For Cd the results were lower than the certified values due to volatilization losses. Sample materials that could not be digested by an earlier procedure were completely digested during a single-step, 30 min digestion. The tested sample materials included certified reference materials, 3-nitrobenzoic acid (3-NBA) and pike (Esox lucius) muscle. The residual carbon concentrations in the digestion solutions were below the detection limit of the TOC instrument. This type of digestion method is described here for the first time in the literature.     

Comparison of two digestion methods used in the determination of selenium in marine biological tissues by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection

The performance of two decomposition procedures, with (a) nitric/perchloric/sulphuric acid and (b) nitric acid/magnesium nitrate, in the determination of selenium in marine biological tissues by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection was compared. Both methods were found satisfactory and performed equally well for sample dissolution, but method (b) was judged to be more convenient.     

Evaluation of microwave digestion and solvent extraction for the determination of trace amounts of selenium in feeds and plant and animal tissues by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A sensitive method for the accurate determination of Se in agricultural products at sub-ppm levels is described. The proposed procedure involves the wet oxidation of samples by using a mixture of nitric, sulphuric and perchloric acids, co-extraction of Se and added Pd with diethylammonium N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate in chloroform, and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of Se in the organic extract. Atomization and extraction conditions are discussed. Special attention is given to the wet oxidation step, and its advantages in speed and simplicity over conventional heating have been evaluated using an automated microwave digestion system. The results reported, obtained from several reference materials, confirm the accuracy of the method with which a detection limit of 0.002 micrograms g-1 of Se can be achieved.     

Phosphorus determination in biological materials

Summary An analysis scheme for the spectrophotometric determination of phosphorus as phosphate in biological materials has been worked out. The wet digestion of the sample was carried out in Kjeldahl flasks by a mixture of perchloric and nitric acids. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the obtained results is not more than 1% for amounts up to 30 g. The method was applied to various biological materials.     

微波消解电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定塑料中铅和镉

采用微波消解技术溶样，ICP-AES法测定了塑料中的铅和镉。通过对消解试剂和微波温度程序的研究，建立了塑料样品的微波消解方法。该方法与传统马弗炉高温灰化消解方法比较，具有准确、简便、快速、省试剂、污染少、消解完全等优点。方法回收率为93％～106％，相对标准偏差(n=7)均小于2％。实际样品对比分析结果表明，方法具有良好的准确度，适于多种塑料材料中铅和镉的快速分析。     

Ce(IV)-induced polymerization of allyl methacrylate with cotton cellulose

Ce(IV)-induced polymerization of allyl methacrylate (AMA) with cotton cellulose was investigated under a variety of conditions. Polymer add-on was directly related to AMA concentration. The same holds good for Ce(IV) ion concentration up to a certain concentration (30 mmol/L), after which it decreases. Polymer add-on was higher at 60 than at 50 and 70°C. A methanol/water mixture (20/80) offers the best medium for polymerization. Addition of nitric acid (up to 400 mol equivalent/L) or perchloric acid (up to 800 mol equivalent/L) to the polymerization system caused significant enhancement in polymer add-on. The reverse was the case with sulphuric acid irrespective of the concentration used. A comparison between polymer add-on values based on increase in weight and those based on estimated allyl double bonds indicated that the latter undergo partial homopolymerization.     

Submicro determination of cobalt, manganese or nickel in organometallic compounds

Methods for the determination of cobalt, manganese or nickel in samples of organometallic compounds weighing 30-100 mug have been developed. Spectrophotometric determination following digestion with nitric and sulphuric acids in a sealed tube is recommended, all results obtained from the analysis of standard compounds being within +/-0.4% absolute error. Digestion in an open tube with perchloric and sulphuric acids gives slightly low results for cobalt and nickel compounds and is inappropriate for manganese compounds.     

Submicro determination of aluminium, bismuth and copper in organometallic compounds

Methods for the determination of aluminium, bismuth or copper m samples of organometallic compounds weighing 40-110 microg have been developed. Spectrophotometric determination following digestion with nitric and sulphuric acids in a sealed tube is recommended, all results obtained from the analysis of standard compounds being within +/- 0.3% absolute error. Digestion in an open tube with perchloric and sulphuric acids gives satisfactory results for bismuth compounds but erratic and often low results for aluminium and copper compounds.     

Digestion method for the determination of mercury in vegetable matrices by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and rapid wet-digestion procedure is described for the determination of total mercury in botanical samples by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry. The method is based on the oxidising properties of potassium dichromate in dilute sulphuric acid and was tested on two National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Materials. The mass of the samples taken for analysis was about 0.5 g in all instances, corresponding to an amount of mercury of the order of 0.075-0.040 micrograms depending on the material. The results were compared with those obtained using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists official digestion technique, which involves the use of nitric and sulphuric acids, and a second technique based on the action of nitric and perchloric acids. The proposed method provided better accuracy and showed good precision. Its ability to achieve the decomposition of two organomercurials for full mercury recovery was verified.