Determinations of Cadmium, Tin, Copper, Iron and Zinc in Food Samples by Electrothermal and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometries

Abstract

Cadmium, tin, iron, copper, and zinc in tea, rice, and liver samples, and standard reference materials (IRMM 804 Rice Flour, GBW 10010 Rice, Bovine Liver1577c and GBW 07605 Tea Leaves) were determined by using electrothermal and flame atomic absorption spectrometries. Cd and Sn in sample solutions were determined with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry by using palladium (Pd) as a matrix modifier. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures and pyrolysis times of Cd and Sn in sample solutions were optimized in the absence or presence of Pd. Pyrolysis temperatures of Cd and Sn found in the presence of Pd were 800°C and 1200°C, respectively. Iron, Cu, and Zn in samples were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The accuracy and precision of the method were validated by determining elements in standard reference materials. Limits of detection for Sn, Cd, Fe, Cu, and Zn were found as 0.66, 0.26, 2.0, 1.9, and 1.2 μg/L, respectively. Concentrations of elements found in samples were compared with maximum values reported by World Health Organization (WHO) and other studies.