Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determination of Iron, Magnesium, Strontium and Zinc in Human Teeth Using La + K Mixture

Orhan Acar,*,a Ali Rehber Türkerb and Ziya Kılıçc

a Gazi University, Ataturk Occupational High school, 06750, Akyurt, Ankara, Turkey
b Gazi University, Arts and science Faculty, Chemistry Department, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
c Gazi University, Education Faculty, Chemistry Department, 06500, Ankara, Turkey
* Corresponding author: E-mail: oacar@gazi.edu.tr

Abstract
Flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of iron, magnesium, strontium and zinc in 44 deciduous human teeth collected from the people with different ages was carried out by using K + La chemical mixture. Optimum concentration and concentration ratio of K + La mixture on the absorbance values of analytes in the Bone Ash SRM 1400 (NIST) were studied. Detection limits (LOD) of analytes in the absence or presence of K + La mixture and its components were determined and compared. Detection limits in the presence of K + La mixture are 11 µg L–1 for Fe, 8.0 µg L–1 for Mg, 6.3 µg L–1 for Sr and 18 µg L–1 for Zn. With K + La mixture proposed and FAAS, Bone Ash SRM 1400 material was analyzed and the results found were in agreement with the certified values. The percent recoveries were increased up to 102% for analytes. La + K mixture proposed was applied to the determination of Fe, Mg, Sr and Zn in tooth samples.

Keywords: Tooth; FAAS; La + K mixture, metals