Multielement Analysis of Whole Blood Using a Capacitively Coupled Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer

A capacitively coupled microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer (CMP-AES) has been evaluated as a means for the direct analysis of several of the primary and trace elements in whole blood. A tungsten filament spiral electrode was used with the CMP, and whole blood samples were deposited on the electrode and subsequently dried, ashed, and atomized. The emission was measured with a spectrometer and a charge-coupled-device detector. A sample size of only 2 μl was required and the time for each sample run was under 4 min. This method has a wide dynamic range, allowing the determination of both the primary elements in blood and elements present in trace quantities. Potassium, sodium, lithium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc were studied. Good linearity was observed and the concentration levels obtained for these elements were consistent with literature values. The primary advantages of this method are that no sample pretreatment or dilution is required, the instrument cost is low, and the method is capable of simultaneous multielement analysis on small, discrete samples.