Analysis of samples of human serum with cataracts for zinc and iron by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer method has been used to determine Zinc and Iron in serum samples of humans with various cataracts. The method for the determination of Zinc includes the dilution of serum (1+9) with water soluble n-butanol 6% (v/v) and calibration with standards containing Zinc in 0.5%(v/v) HCl, diluted in the same way. The method for the determination of Iron includes deprotenization by diluting the serum (1+9) with trichloro acetic acid 5% (v/v). The values obtained for persons with several cataracts were compared with the values reported in the literature for normal persons. Further, the reliability of Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer method for the determination of Zinc and Iron in serum samples of humans with several cataracts was tested by inter-comparison with Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer.