Unlock Exclusive Discounts & Flash Sales! Click Here to Join the Deals on Every Wednesday!

Multi-element analysis of trace element levels in human autopsy tissues by ICP-AES (CAT#: STEM-ST-0186-WXH)

Introduction

Imbalance in the composition of the at least trace elements recognised to be essential to normal human homeostasis, and accumulation of potential toxic, non-essential trace elements, may cause disease. Thus, analysis of trace elements in biological fluids and tissues serves two purposes: to determine the concentrations and profile of essential trace elements, and to detect the presence of potential toxic metals.




Principle

Atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) is a method of chemical analysis that uses the intensity of light emitted from a flame, plasma, arc, or spark at a particular wavelength to determine the quantity of an element in a sample. The wavelength of the atomic spectral line in the emission spectrum gives the identity of the element while the intensity of the emitted light is proportional to the number of atoms of the element. The sample may be excited by various methods.
Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) uses an inductively coupled plasma to produce excited atoms and ions that emit electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths characteristic of a particular element.

Applications

Common applications of atomic emission spectroscopy are in the analysis of trace elements in soils, water, metals, biological specimens, clinical specimens, food, physical evidence such as glass, and other solids.

Procedure

1. Prepare sample for analysis
2. Convert solution into aerosol
3. Introduce aerosol into excitation source
4. Atomization and excitation
5. Detection of emission lines

Materials

• ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) source
• Atomizer
• Monochromators
• Detectors
• Amplifiers