Determination of Hg in xanthan gum by CV AAS after acid decomposition using reflux system

Abstract

The present work describes a sample preparation method using acid decomposition in reflux system for the determination of Hg on xanthan gum samples by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV AAS). The best conditions of sample preparation method were optimized. This procedure proved to be safe for the quantification of this analyte, because no significant losses of Hg by volatilization, which is due to the efficient reflux system. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.0049 and 0.0163 μg g−1, respectively. The accuracy was evaluated through recovery tests performed with different species of Hg and CRM analysis, obtaining excellent recoveries. The values of Hg were below the LOD(m) for xanthan gum samples A and B. However, the other samples showed concentrations in the range of 0.027–0.325 μg g−1. The method proves suitable for the quantification of Hg, which is important due to the wide applicability of xanthan gum.