A New and Simple Method for the Determination of Trace Fe(III), Cu(II), Ni(II),Zn(II) and Se(IV) in Human Hair by Differential Pulse Polarography

Abstract

A new and simple differential pulse polarographic (DPP) method for the trace element determination in hair has been established. While Ni in hair was determined in ammonia buffer, four elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Se) could be determined simultaneously in acetate buffer with only one sample addition. For this purpose human hair taken from a healthy person is first digested with acids and then the polarogram is taken at various electrolytes and pH values. In acetate buffer at pH 4 zinc could be determined. The same electrolyte was used in the presence of EDTA for the determination of both copper and iron. For selenite determination, hydrogen catalytic peak at about -1.1 V in acetate buffer (pH= 3.3) was used in the presence of 50 - 100 times more molybdenum, Mo(VI). In this medium the limit of detection was 10–9M for selenite. Ni peak could be separated from zinc peak in ammonia buffer at pH 9.8 and was determined in this medium. The quantities of trace elements were found as Zn 201 μg/g, Cu 20 μg/g, Ni 1.2 μg/g, Se 0.9 μg/g and Fe 15 μg/g. With the proposed method the reference hair was also analyzed and good agreement was obtained.