Slurry nebulization ICP-OES for the determination of Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn

A method that involves analysis of bovine liver by slurry nebulization and ICP-OES has been developed. This method permits rapid and accurate determination of Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn in bovine liver. Aliquots of freeze-dried and powdered bovine liver sample were dispersed in 2.0 M HNO3 and sonicated to homogenize the resulting slurries. Bovine liver samples were also microwave digested or subjected to aqueous extraction for comparison of analytical results. Concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn in aqueous slurries, the digests, and aqueous extracts were determined by the ICP-OES using external calibration curves. A student’s t-test showed that the results obtained using the slurry method were in good agreement at 95 % confidence level (CL) with those of microwave digestion or aqueous extraction techniques, except for Fe. To check the accuracy and precision of the slurry method, a bovine liver CRM was analyzed and good agreement was achieved with the certified values at 95 % CL. The results demonstrate inefficiency of aqueous extraction technique for complete removal of Fe in bovine liver sample. KEY WORDS: Bovine liver, ICP-OES, Slurry nebulization, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2008, 22(3), 313-321.