Direct determination of cadmium in Orujo spirit samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry: Comparative study of different chemical modifiers

Determination of Cadmium and Chromium in Fruit Spirits Intended for Own Consumption Using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

INTRODUCTION

Analysis of the occurrence of cadmium and chromium in selected samples of fruit spirits intended for own consumption.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In our pilot study, we analysed 89 samples of fruit spirits intended for own consumption. The samples were mineralized with use of microwave decomposition system MULTIWAVE 60 50 Hz and analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace (AAS GBC XPLORAA 5000 with GF 5000).

RESULTS

Most of the analysed samples originated from plums (39), apples (38) and pears (5). The average ethanol concentration was 53.7%. Cadmium and chromium were detected in all samples. The highest concentration of chromium and cadmium was found in the apple spirit (31.9 ± 6.6 μg/l and 40.1 ± 8.3 μg/l).

CONCLUSIONS

The ethanol concentration in the samples was higher than in distribution spirits. Concentrations of chromium in all samples did not exceed the limit given by the Slovak legislation or the limit of the AMPHORA. The permissible cadmium concentration (10 μg/l according to the AMPHORA) was exceeded in 9 samples. This indicates the potential importance of cadmium compared to chromium. Due to the lack of information in this field, the study presents an important starting point for further research.

Validation of a method to quantify chromium, cadmium, manganese, nickel and lead in human whole blood, urine, saliva and hair samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

For biological monitoring of heavy metal exposure in occupational toxicology, usually whole blood and urine samples are the most widely used and accepted matrix to assess internal xenobiotic exposure. Hair samples and saliva are also of interest in occupational and environmental health surveys but procedures for the determination of metals in saliva and hair are very scarce and to our knowledge there is no validation of a method to quantify Cr, Cd, Mn, Ni and Pb in four different human biological materials (whole blood, urine, saliva and axilary hair) by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). In the present study, quantification methods for the determination of Cr, Cd, Mn, Ni and Pb in whole blood, urine, saliva and axilary hair were validated according to the EU common standards. Pyrolisis and atomization temperatures have been determined. The main parameters evaluated were: detection and quantification limits, linearity range, repeatability, reproducibility, recovery and uncertainty. Accuracy of the methods was tested with the whole blood, urine and hair certified reference materials and recoveries of the spiked samples were acceptable ranged from 96.3 to 107.8%.