Determinação de cádmio, cobre e chumbo por F AAS e GF AAS em plantas medicinais empregando amostragem direta de sólidos

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to use alternative systems for the analysis of solids by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (DSS-GF AAS) and with flame (SS-F AAS) for cadmium, copper and lead in determination of medicinal plants samples. For DSS-GF AAS procedure the solid sample was introduced, directly, into the atomizer. For cadmium and lead determinations Pd was used as chemical modifier and a deuterium background corrector system was employed. For copper determination it was used a Zeeman effect background correction system. The calibration was performed against aqueous standards and certified reference materials. Sample masses up to 0.9 mg were applied for DSS-GF AAS, procedure a limits of quantification of 0.11 and 0.3 μg g-1 and characteristic masses of 1 and 70 pg were obtained for cadmium and copper, respectively. Lead determination by DSS-GF AAS was not possible, due to the different sensitivities between the samples. For cadmium, copper and lead the determination by SS-F AAS the samples were mixed with graphite and pressed in the pastille form. The pastilles were introduced in a system that consists basically into a quartz cell adapted above the air-acetylene flame. Oxygen was introduced in the quartz cell to improve the pastille (sample and graphite mixture) combustion. All the elements were determinate using a deuterium background correction system. Calibration was performed against aqueous standards and certified reference materials. With this system it was possible to use sample masses up to 50 mg, limits of quantification of 0.03, 0.52 and 0.34 μg g-1 and characteristic masses of 0.05, 0.9 and 1 ng were obtained for cadmium, copper and lead, respectively. It can be concluded that both used systems presents advantages, as high sample throve put for SS-F AAS and ´better detection limits for DSS-GF AAS. However, the detection limit obtained for the SS-F AAS system it is enough for the quality control of the metals studied in medicinal plants. For DSS-GF AAS procedure the main disadvantage is the relatively high instrumental cost, however, better detection limits were obtained in relation to the system by SS-F AAS. However, both systems were adequate for cadmium, copper and lead determinations in medicinal plants samples