Biomaterial Database

Comparison of procedures for determination of copper and zinc in serum by atomic absorption spectroscopy. 1981

A Taylor, and T N Bryant

Methods used to prepare serum samples for the determination of copper and zinc by atomic absorption spectroscopy have been compared using the results obtained from an external quality control scheme. The methods most commonly employed were dilution with water, dilution with dilute butan-1-ol or propan-1-ol, removal of protein by trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitation and electrothermal atomization (ETA). The effects of the inclusion of sodium and potassium ion upon results has been examined. Low results for serum copper are given by the technique of ETA. High zinc values are found following TCA precipitation. None of the methods showed superior between-batch precision. Ionization interference was variable and the addition of sodium and potassium to standard solutions is not always necessary.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007202	Indicators and Reagents	Substances used for the detection, identification, analysis, etc. of chemical, biological, or pathologic processes or conditions. Indicators are substances that change in physical appearance, e.g., color, at or approaching the endpoint of a chemical titration, e.g., on the passage between acidity and alkalinity. Reagents are substances used for the detection or determination of another substance by chemical or microscopical means, especially analysis. Types of reagents are precipitants, solvents, oxidizers, reducers, fluxes, and colorimetric reagents. (From Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed, p301, p499)	Indicator,Reagent,Reagents,Indicators,Reagents and Indicators
D011786	Quality Control	A system for verifying and maintaining a desired level of quality in a product or process by careful planning, use of proper equipment, continued inspection, and corrective action as required. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)	Control, Quality,Controls, Quality,Quality Controls
D003300	Copper	A heavy metal trace element with the atomic symbol Cu, atomic number 29, and atomic weight 63.55.	Copper-63,Copper 63
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013054	Spectrophotometry, Atomic	Spectrophotometric techniques by which the absorption or emmision spectra of radiation from atoms are produced and analyzed.	Spectrophotometry, Atomic Absorption,AA Spectrophotometry,AE Spectrophotometry,Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry,Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry,Atomic Spectrophotometry,Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry,Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy,Spectrophotometry, Atomic Emission,AA Spectrophotometries,AE Spectrophotometries,Absorption Spectrophotometry, Atomic,Emission Spectrophotometry, Atomic,Spectrophotometries, AA,Spectrophotometries, AE,Spectrophotometry, AA,Spectrophotometry, AE
D015032	Zinc	A metallic element of atomic number 30 and atomic weight 65.38. It is a necessary trace element in the diet, forming an essential part of many enzymes, and playing an important role in protein synthesis and in cell division. Zinc deficiency is associated with ANEMIA, short stature, HYPOGONADISM, impaired WOUND HEALING, and geophagia. It is known by the symbol Zn.