Abstract
A rotating platform technique is described for the spark analysis of ashed red blood cells with the direct reading spectrograph. A study was made of the effect of different variables that included the size and shape of the counter electrode, the density and surface configuration of the platform electrode, and the mode of sample application It indicated that a 0.2 5 in. flat tip counter electrode, a flat platform electrode precoated with phcene, and one mg of sample residue to which a wetting agent had been added to facilitate sample application produced the best combination of sensitivity and reproducibility. The technique provided greater sensitivity than methods employing the rotating disc electrode, flat top electrode and the plastic cup electrode. Normal values are given for Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn in red blood cells.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.