Abstract
A slurry atomization direct current plasma (DCP) emission method is reported which involves a minimum of sample preparation for the spectroscopic determination of residual bone solids (as calcium) in mechanically separated turkey. Lengthy wet-ashing methods have been replaced here by a simple approach involving a 2-min “Polytron” homogenization step followed by shaking of the meat homogenate for ∼10 s with dilute nitric acid at room temperature. The sample bulk remains as a suspension of solids that is immediately and directly pumped to a clog-free Babington-type nebulizer installed in a three-electrode DCP emission spectrometer for Ca determination. Before homogenizing, mechanically separated turkey (MST) normally contains bone fragments in the particle size range 0.1 to 0.8 mm. For these MST samples, quantitative Ca recoveries are achieved by the new matrix-modified slurry atomization DCP atomic emission method within about 10 min of the time the meat product is received for bone solids analysis by the lab.
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