Determination of Cadmium and Selenium in Food Samples by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry using Ni plus Pt Modifier Mixture

Determination of cadmium and selenium in food samples mostly consumed in Turkey has been performed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using Ni + Pt modifier mixture. Food samples and standard reference materials (Whey Powder-IAEA-155 and Skim Milk Powder-BCR 105) were decomposed in a microwave digestion system by using HNO3 + H2O2 mixture. The heating temperature program for Cd and Se in sample solutions was optimized in the absence or presence of Ni, Pt and Ni + Pt chemical modifier mixture. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, pyrolysis times, atomization and background absorbance signals for Cd and Se in real samples were studied. Limits of detection and quantification of elements were 0.14 and 0.5 mu g/L for Cd and 0.4 and 1.3 mu g/L for Se, respectively. Accuracy and precision for elements in standard reference materials were evaluated by the proposed method. Percent relative errors and relative standard deviations obtained were below 4%. Concentrations of Cd and Se found in food samples were compared with other studies.

Automated summary

The determination of cadmium and selenium in food samples consumed in Turkey was carried out using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with Ni + Pt modifier mixture. The heating temperature program for Cd and Se in sample solutions was optimized, and the accuracy and precision of the method were evaluated using standard reference materials.