Atomic absorption spectrophotometric method for determination of polydimethylsiloxane residues in pineapple juice: collaborative study

An atomic absorption spectrophotometric method for determination of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) residues in pineapple juice was collaboratively studied by 9 laboratories. PDMS residues are extracted from pineapple juice with 4-methyl-2-pentanone and the extracted silicone is measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry using a nitrous oxide/acetylene flame. Collaborators analyzed 5 samples including 1 blind duplicate. Reproducibility relative standard deviations (RSDR) were 13.1% at 31 ppm, 6.9% at 18 ppm, 14.8% at 7.9 ppm, and 16.1% at 4.9 ppm PDMS. The method has been approved interim official first action by AOAC.     

Temperature-programmable furnace for ashing of foods in trace metal analysis

The use of programmable furnace in preparing samples for determining cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry or atomic absorption spectrophotometry is convenient and time-saving. Recovery data for these 4 metals in various foods (tuna, sardines, and milk) were 93-96% for 0.01-1 ppm cadmium, 96-114% for 0.05-5 ppm lead, 100-108% for 2-10 ppm copper, and 97% for 10 ppm zinc.     

Flameless atomic absorption spectroscopic determination of heavy metals in whole-fish samples

Flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy with a carbon rod atomizer was used to determine lead, cadmium, and chromium in whole-fish samples. Samples were dry-ashed, and the metals were separated by solvent extraction with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate in methyl isobutyl ketone, and then back-partitioned into an aqueous acid solution for analysis. The back-partitioning step allows a direct comparison of sample solutions with aqueous solutions of the standard. Recoveries of the metals from fortified samples averaged 91% (+/-9.6) for lead and 100% (+/-5.6) for chromium at the 0.1-1 ppm level, and 100% (+/-13.3) for cadmium at the 0.01-0.1 ppm level.     

Influence of phosphorus and calcium on flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of lead in canned fish products

Lead was determined in the presence of whole multiples of the P/Ca ratio found in Portuguese canned fish by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry with and without using an ashing aid. Under our experimental conditions, use of the ashing aid eliminates P and Ca interference. Results with real samples, spiked with 1, 2, 3, and 4 ppm lead, are presented and statistically treated.     

Flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of serum zinc: collaborative study

A method for determining serum zinc concentrations was collaboratively studied by 9 laboratories. Serum samples in polypropylene tubes are directly diluted with 0.03% Brij 35, and zinc is determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). A certified standard reference material serves as an external control. Repeatability relative standard deviations (RSDr) were 1.2 and 11.4% and reproducibility relative standard deviations (RSDR) were 6.1 and 12.9% for serum zinc concentrations of 6.36 and 0.63 micrograms/mL, respectively. The method has been approved interim official first action by AOAC.     

Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of selenium in biological materials, using 4-bromo- and 4-chloro 1,2-diaminobenzene as derivatizing reagents

A method is described for the gas-liquid chromatographic determination of traces of selenium in marine biological materials. The method is based on the reaction of Se(IV) with bromo- and chloro-substituted 1,2-diaminobenzenes. The benzoselenadiazoles so formed are sensitive to electron capture detection. The sample is digested in a nitric-perchloric acid mixture and selenium is reduced to the IV oxidation state. Different aliquots of the digest solution are reacted with either 4-bromo- or 4-chloro-1,2-diaminobenzene to quantitatively form the corresponding 2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole. Recovery of added selenite to a fish meal sample was 95% for the bromo derivative and 101% for the chloro derivative. Different portions of a well mixed fish meal sample were analyzed in independent laboratories by the fluorometric method and by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (hydride generation). The following mean values (microgram/g) were found: present method 1.89, fluorometric method 1.91, atomic absorption method 2.1. The lower limit of detection for the method described was 13 ng, using the bromo derivative, and 27 ng, using the chloro derivative.     

Direct determination of lead in evaporated milk and apple juice by anodic stripping voltammetry: collaborative study

A method for the direct determination of lead in evaporated milk and in fruit juice with no prior sample digestion was successfully collaborated by 13 laboratories. The anodic stripping voltammetric (ASV) method studied consisted of adding 0.2 mL aliquots of evaporated milk or 0.3 mL aliquots of fruit juice to 2.9 mL of a dechelating reagent, Metexchange. The reagent-sample mixture is then analyzed for lead by ASV with no further sample preparation. Each collaborator received 24 samples, 2 each at 5 different levels (0.07-0.70 ppm for spiked evaporated milk and 0.09-0.87 ppm for spiked apple juice) along with duplicate practice samples of labeled lead content at each of 2 levels for each sample type. All unknowns were coded with random numbers. Approximately 69% of the reporting laboratories had never analyzed either evaporated milk or fruit juice for lead. Average time between receipt of samples and reporting of results was 1.6 days for all laboratories. The pooled variations between duplicate determinations for apple juice and evaporated milk were 0.00059 and 0.00043, respectively. The method was adopted official first action for both fruit juice and evaporated milk.     

The determination of total lead in soil by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

A method is described for the determination of total lead in soil by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The sample is digested with hot nitric acid. The dry residue is taken up in hydrochloric acid and excess iron is removed by extraction with acetylacetone‐chloroform. Lead is then extracted using the system DDC‐MIBK. The organic phase can be sprayed directly into the flame.

The method is not affected by elements occurring in contaminated soils. Iron is removed because a slow‐forming precipitate of the Fe‐DDC‐complex blocks the nebuliser system. The method is an improvement on other methods because no sulfuric acid is used for digestion, and therefore losses of lead by precipitation or occlusion are avoided. Tests confirm that the recommended method gives complete recovery of lead.

Lead can be determined in the range from 4 to 240 ppm in the soil. A standard soil sample has been analyzed, yielding a mean value of 125 μg Pb/g soil with a relative standard deviation of 2.4%.     

Analysis of foods for iodine: interlaboratory study

An accurate, reproducible method for less than or equal to 1 ppm iodine in foods is required for nutritional labeling. In order to ascertain the current status of iodine analysis in foods, 7 samples, representing different food classes, were analyzed by 8 laboratories. Six laboratories used their modifications of the Ce-As-I catalytic method preceded by alkaline dry ashing. Two laboratories used neutron activation analysis (NAA), with differing radiochemical separations. The study showed wide discrepancy in analytical results. Mean relative standard deviation for all laboratories was 77.9% between laboratories; 19.1% within-laboratories. Laboratories using NAA had only slightly better precision than did laboratories using the chemical method. The lowest level reported on the entire group of samples ranged among laboratories from 0.0089 to 0.65 ppm. Figures reported by a laboratory are, in general, consistently high or consistently low. The only differences in methodology which may possibly correlate with level of iodine obtained are the use of NAA technique and use of manual, rather than automated, colorimetry.     

Atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of calcium and magnesium and colorimetric determination of phosphorus in cheese: collaborative study

The determination of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in cheese was collaboratively studied. The sample is dried and ashed and the residue is dissolved in an acidified aqueous solution. Calcium and magnesium are determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and phosphorus is determined by colorimetry. The study was repeated 3 times because of high within- and between-laboratory relative standard deviations (RSDr and RSDR, respectively). Poor precision in the first 2 studies was caused by a number of factors, including use of contaminated glassware, improperly maintained instruments, and impure reagents as standards. In each study, 5 varieties of cheese were distributed as 10 blind duplicate samples along with a practice sample. Thirteen laboratories participated in the third study, which was generally problem-free. The range of results and the average RSDr and RSDR found in the cheeses were: calcium, 608-1107 mg/100 g. 1.5%, 2.6%; magnesium, 23.9-50.6 mg/100 g, 2.8%, 3.8%; phosphorus, 444-695 mg/100 g, 1.2%, 1.6%. The method has been adopted official first action by AOAC.     

Gas chromatographic determination of captan, folpet, and captafol residues in tomatoes, cucumbers, and apples using a wide-bore capillary column: interlaboratory study.

An interlaboratory study of the determination of captan, folpet, and captafol in tomatoes, cucumbers, and apples was conducted by 4 laboratories using wide-bore capillary column gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The 3 fungicides were determined using the Luke et al. multiresidue method modified to include additional solvent elution in the optional Florisil column cleanup step used with this method. The crops were fortified with each fungicide at 3 levels per crop. Mean recoveries ranged from 86.2% for a 25.1 ppm level of captan in apples to 115.4% for a 0.288 ppm level of captafol in apples. Interlaboratory coefficients of variation ranged from 3.4% (24.7 ppm folpet) to 9.7% (0.243 ppm captafol) for tomatoes; from 2.8% (2.0 ppm captafol) to 8.2% (24.8 ppm captan) for cucumbers; and from 1.5% (0.234 ppm folpet) to 22.1% (0.266 ppm captafol) for apples.     

Determination of vitamin B12 in dry feeds by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Vitamin B12 was determined in dry feeds by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Samples containing B12 were extracted with an assay solution, 5 g EDTA was added to the filtrate, the pH was adjusted to 7 with NH4OH, and 5 g charcoal was added. The charcoal was removed by filtering through ashless paper which was then placed in a beaker and ashed at 600 degrees C. After dissolving the cobalt oxide from the ash in 5N HNO3, cobalt content was determined by using AAS. To determine mg B12/lb feed, ppm cobalt in the feed is multiplied by 10.43. The sensitivity of the proposed procedure is 1 mg vitamin B12/lb. The procedure is rapid and precise, and results compare favorably with AOAC method 43.109.     

Determination of aluminum(III) in crystallized fruit samples using a multicommutated flow system

A multicommutated flow system was developed for the determination of aluminum in crystallized fruit samples. Spectrophotometric determination is based on the reaction of aluminum with chrome azurol S. The binary sampling technique was implemented to improve mixing conditions and to minimize reagent consumption. Three different working zones were established (0.5-5.0, 5.0-25.0, and 10.0-100 ppm) using the zone sampling approach, allowing us to adapt the extent of the in-line dilution. The influence of the chemical and physical parameters on the performance of the system was studied. Detection limits of 0.1, 0.6, and 0.8 ppm were obtained for the lowest, the medium, and the highest dispersion system, respectively. The procedure was applied to the determination of aluminum in crystallized fruit extracts. The results were in agreement with those obtained by the reference flame atomic absorption procedure at a 95% confidence level. Repeatability (RSD) was better than 2.4% in all of the three application zones.     

Determination of maduramicin by liquid chromatography with atomic absorption spectrometric detection

A liquid chromatograph was interfaced to an atomic absorption spectrometer for the detection and quantitation of maduramicin in feed matrixes at the 1-8 ppm level. Ionophores in general form strong 1:1 products with various metal cations, yielding complexes that are insoluble in water but very soluble in organic solvents. Maduramicin, a carboxylic, polyalcohol, polyether antibiotic, is labeled with the sodium cation and analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The lower limit of detection is approximately 100-200 ng maduramicin sodium salt. Feeds containing 1-8 ppm maduramicin are extracted with acetone, the extract is passed through an alumina column, the column is eluted with acetonitrile-water (90 + 10), and the eluate is analyzed for maduramicin by liquid chromatography-AAS after concentration and conversion of maduramicin to the sodium salt. Recoveries of maduramicin averaged 89.5%. Liquid chromatography with AAS detection has been shown to be a sensitive and highly specific technique for the determination of ionophores in general and maduramicin in particular.     

Atomic absorption spectroscopic determination of lead extracted from acid-solubilized tissues.

A method is presented for determining lead in a variety of tissues. Lyophilized samples are solubilized with nitric acid at room temperature in glass screw-cap culture tubes. Following neutralization with sodium hydroxide and sodium bicarbonate, the lead is extracted into methyl isobutyl ketone as the pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate complex and analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Brain, heart, liver, lung, and spleen gave recoveries ranging from 92 to 102% with standard deviations of less than 8%. Aorta, kidney, and rib were unsuitable for analysis by this method. A large number of samples can be analyzed without specialized equipment or intricate experimental steps. The detection limit is 35 ng/g tissue (wet weight) and sensitivity is approximately 140 ng/g tissue (wet weight).     

Determination of iron in soils by flow injection atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A single‐channel flow injection system was optimized for the determination of available iron (Fe) in soil extracts by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. This method of introducing the samples in the spectrophotometer worked particularly well in preventing blockage of the burner head which was observed in the conventional introduction of Fe for its determination by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The appropriate selection of the manifold parameters, such as injection volume, tube length and flow rate, allowed introduction of any soil extract without requiring any pre‐treatment. This system allowed determinations at a detection limit of 0.36 mg L^‐1 to 5 mg L^‐1, with an output of 300 determinations per hour. The results obtained for analysis of 15 soil extracts were in good agreement with those provided by the colorimetric method, with average relative deviations of 1.6%. Relative standard deviations of 4.8, 2.5, and 2.3% were obtained for contents of 1.03, 1.85, and 3.99 mg Fe L^‐1, respectively.     

Comparison of four methods for digesting food samples for determination of trace levels of cadmium by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry

We compared 4 digestion procedures, namely, sulfuric-nitric acid in an open flask, nitric acid under pressure, sulfuric-nitric acid with refluxing, and nitric-hydrochloric-peroxide with refluxing, for the determination of cadmium by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 3 foodstuffs: rice, beef, and cream cheese. The foodstuffs were homogenized and divided into several batches for analysis. The results were evaluated using a 2-way cross analysis of variance. The study revealed that the digestion procedure was a highly significant factor (P less than 10(-4] in the analysis of the 3 foods; whereas the nature of the foodstuffs was not significant for rice and meat and only slightly significant (P less than 10(-2] for cream cheese. When the foodstuffs were spiked with a known amount of cadmium, we observed a loss of the metal when the sulfuric-nitric acid procedure in an open flask and the nitric-hydrochloric-peroxide digestion procedure were used. Taken together, the results of the present study indicate that the choice of the reagents used for digestion of foodstuffs is a crucial factor for cadmium determination by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry.     

Liquid chromatographic-atomic absorption spectrophotometric method for determination of methyl mercury in seafood: collaborative study

A previously developed method that uses a simplified sample preparation procedure and atomic absorption detection of liquid chromatographic eluates for the determination of methyl mercury in seafood has been collaboratively studied. The unique feature of the method involves the use of a specially designed interface for the generation of mercury vapor. Methyl mercury is isolated from the blended sample by chloroform elution from a diatomaceous earth-hydrochloric acid column. The organomercury compound is then extracted into a small volume of 0.01M sodium thiosulfate solution. An aliquot of this solution is injected onto a Zorbax ODS column and eluted with methanol-ammonium acetate solution (3 + 2), pH 5.7, containing 0.01% mercaptoethanol. Mercury is detected by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry using the interface. The samples analyzed in the study were unspiked swordfish, unspiked and spiked lobster, and unspiked and spiked tuna. The spiked samples contained methyl mercury both above and below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guideline level of 1 microgram Hg/g. Reproducibility relative standard deviations ranged from 10.5% at 1 microgram Hg/g to 18.2% at about 0.1 microgram Hg/g. Accuracy, measured by comparison to reference values obtained by the Associate Referee, ranged from 94.4 to 99.6%. The method has been adopted official first action.     

Gas chromatographic method for analysis of 2,4-D in wheat: interlaboratory study

A procedure is described for the determination of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) in dried green plant material. Samples are first extracted with dilute sodium hydroxide, and then after acidification and solvent extraction, the residues are methylated using boron trifluoride-methanol reagent. The methyl ester of 2,4-D is cleaned up on a Florisil column and quantitated using a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. Six laboratories made quadruplicate determinations on control, dried green wheat check samples, on 4 similar samples fortified at the 0.50 ppm level, and on 4 samples fortified at the 1.00 ppm level with 2,4-D. Based on the data from 5 laboratories, the plant fortifications of 0.50 and 1.00 ppm yielded average interlaboratory recoveries of 2,4-D of 83.3 and 88.2%, respectively. The procedure also has potential for the determination of 2,4-D in wheat straw and wheat grain.     

Optimized Monier-Williams method for determination of sulfites in foods: collaborative study

A collaborative study was conducted of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-optimized Monier-Williams method for determining sulfites in foods. Twenty-one industry and government laboratories participated in the study, which was jointly sponsored by the National Food Processors Association and FDA. Familiarization samples were shipped to each collaborator. Collaborators were permitted to proceed to the main study only after they demonstrated ability to perform the method to ensure that the study tested the performance of the method itself and not that of the individual laboratories. The study design involved 3 food matrixes (hominy, fruit juice, and protein [seafood]). Each matrix was prepared at 3 sulfite levels--the regulatory level, half the regulatory level, twice the regulatory level--and as a blank. All test samples were analyzed as blind duplicates, which gave each collaborator a total of 24 test portions. Collaborative recoveries gave a reproducibility (among-laboratories) coefficient of variation that ranged from 15.5 to 26.6% for sulfite determined as SO2 by weight in the 3 foods at the 10 ppm level. The optimized Monier-Williams method has been approved interim official first action to replace the AOAC modified Monier-Williams method, 20.123-20.125.