Micro method for determination of cadmium in tissues and slurried samples by use of flameless atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) was determined in rat liver, kidneys, brain, testes, heart, and lungs with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry following digestion of micro quantities (100 μl) of tissue homogenates in polypropylene micro diagnostic tubes. Microwave heating was used to complete the digestion. Results obtained demonstrated adequate precision, as indicated by relative standard deviations in control (±14%) and treated rat tissues (±2.6%). Cd measured in Standard Reference Materials that represented various biological tissues agreed with certified values, and no significant differences were observed between results obtained by use of the method of additions and those obtained by use of matrix-free reference solutions. Overall mean recovery of Cd added to Cd-treated rat tissue homogenates prior to the digestion procedure was 96%.