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Determination of Trace Elements in Biological Fluids by Arc Atomic Emission Spectrometry

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Abstract

Determination of macro- and trace elements in various biological fluids, including saliva and blood serum, is widely used for medical diagnostics and assessment of the impact of anthropogenic factors on human health. The most popular methods of spectral analysis have several disadvantages, including the need in sample preparation. As an alternative, we proposed a direct (without digestion) analysis of biofluids by arc atomic emission spectrometry using the dry residue method. The experimentally found optimal amount of the spectral buffer (0.15 mg of NaCl) and current strength (20 A) ensure a high-intensity analytical signal and a better limit of detection. The selected conditions also neutralize the effect of the saliva and serum matrix on the parameters of the arc plasma (temperature and electron concentration), which enables the use of standard aqueous solutions of element salts for plotting calibration curves. When 150 µL of a whole saliva sample is applied to one end of the electrode, the limits of detection are at the level of no more than 1 µg/L for Ag, Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn and several micrograms per liter for Cr, Pb, and Ti. No more than 50 µL of blood serum can be applied to the electrode end face; the limits of detection, in this case, are three times higher. We assessed the accuracy of the determination of trace elements in real samples of saliva and blood serum. Additionally, a possibility of determining macroelements (Ca, Mg, P, Si) in saliva is demonstrated.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to the Research Park of St. Petersburg State University “Center for Chemical Analysis and Materials Research” and VMK-Optoelektronika, whose equipment was used in the study.

Funding

The study was supported by the grant of the President of the Russian Federation, project no. MK-2476.2021.1.3.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Chemistry, St. Petersburg State University, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia

    S. S. Savinov & A. I. Drobyshev

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  1. S. S. Savinov
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  2. A. I. Drobyshev
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Correspondence to S. S. Savinov.

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Translated by O. Zhukova

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Savinov, S.S., Drobyshev, A.I. Determination of Trace Elements in Biological Fluids by Arc Atomic Emission Spectrometry. J Anal Chem 77, 328–333 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1061934822010129

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1061934822010129

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