Determination of some trace elements in biological fluids and method development

Trace elements are elements that occur in human and animal tissues in miligram per kilogramor less. The development of sensitive, specific, and accurate analytical technology at anacceptable cost has moved determination of trace elements from research laboratories into awide range of clinical laboratories. Various methods have been described that use differentprocedures for biological sample preparation and analysis.In this study; determination of zinc, copper, lead, selenium, aluminium, and mercury in wholeblood, serum, and urine as biological fluids by atomic absorption spectrometry. We havestudied zinc and copper in serum by flame AAS, lead in whole blood, selenium andaluminium in serum, copper in urine by graphite furnace AAS, mercury in whole blood bycold vapor AAS.Biological fluids collection and storage are critical steps in accurate determination of traceelements. Syringes, needles, collecting tubes, and stoppers are all potential sources ofcontamination.Biological samples contain high amounts of carbon, mainly bound in proteins. Because of thisreason, the importance of the optimization for the pyrolysis and the atomization temperatureincreases. High intensity background signals, coming from the sample matrix were correctedby zeeman background correction system.The accuracy and precision test for studied methods were carried out on certified referencematerials and performed statistical estimations.Keywords : Whole blood, serum, urine, trace elements, atomic absorption spectrometry,accuracy, precision.JURY :1. Prof. Dr. Göksel AKÇ N (Supervisor) Date : 12.07.20062. Prof. Dr. Şeref GÜÇER Page : 883. Yard. Doç. Dr. Gülten ÇET N