Abstract:

A mixed matrix modifier with optimum volume for the determination of Al, Cd, Pb, Cu, Mn and Cr in food
samples was found by comparing the effects of nine individual matrix modifiers and four mixed ones on the results
of determination of the six metal elements by high resolution-continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption
spectrometry (HR-CS GFAAS). By using F-test and t-test, we examined whether there were significant differences between
the developed method and the national standard method. A mixed matrix modifier consisting of ammonium dihydrogen
phosphate (10 g/L) and tartaric acid (1 g/L) was found to be the most suitable one, and its optimum volume was 7 μL. There
was no significant difference between this method and the national standard method and the spiked recoveries of our method
ranged from 93.3% to 105.2%. The method developed in this study proved rapid, accurate and stable with a high practical
value. It can provide a scientific basis for multi-element determination in food samples.

Key words: metal element, matrix modifier, high resolution-continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GFAAS)