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Analysis of Zinc in Human Blood Using Flame

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS)

Syed Fahad Akbar Ali, Nida Imtiaz, and Syed Umair Mehdi

AbstractThis study will summarize the importance of zinc and

method for analyzing the zinc concentration in human body. Some

metal like sodium, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper &

manganese are very important for human body to maintain different

physiological processes normally. These metals also play an

important role in the structures of proteins and enzyme activities.

Zinc is one of the important metals, which have very remarkable

impact on immune system of human body such as activities like cell

reproduction and healing of wounds need the use of zinc, as it is also

involved in reproductive system. It maintains the high sperm count in

male and in female, it helps in fetal growth and abortion [1]. This

study was carried out as, the detection of zinc concentration in human

blood among 75 volunteers categorized as welders, dyers, carpenters,

casters and flood victims (15 each), by using flame atomic absorption

spectroscopy (FAAS) technique which give the analytical results of

zinc concentration.

Keywords-component; zinc concentration; human blood;

volunteers; diseases; flame atomic absorption spectroscopy; ppm

I. INTRODUCTIONA.Zinc and its ImportanceZinc is a bluish white metal having an atomic number 30 andatomic mass 65.5amu. It is abundantly found in nature. It is

0.02% of earths crust. It is important and useful in human

body due to its chemical properties [1]. All protein containing

foods contain a reasonable quantity of zinc. The highest

concentration of zinc is present in red meat, cereals with whole

grains & pulses it may also be contained by chicken, fish, eggs,

milk, vegetables and fruits [1]. Many researchers have

suggested that, zinc is very important for human body. The

variation in metabolism of zinc can create problems in nutrition

of human body. In some cases, the deficiency of zinc was

observed in human body in all over the world [2] and it has

been proved through recent researches by biochemical and

physiological point of view [3].

Syed Fahad Akbar Ali, Nida Imtiaz, and Syed Umair Mehdi are with

Biomedical Engineering Department, Sir Syed University of Engineering and

Technology,Karachi, Pakistan.

Email: [email protected], [email protected], umairmehdi-

[email protected]

Zinc is important for the metabolism of cells and is needed by

more than 100 enzymes for their catabolism. It also involves in

synthesis of proteins & DNA, healing of wounds and division

of cells. It also contributes in the normal growth of fetus [4].

B. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS)The determination of zinc concentration in human blood was

done by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. From figure 1,

the principle of flame atomic absorption spectroscopy is the

absorption of light. The hollow cathode lamp produces aspectrum of a specific wavelength. The atomizer converts the

sample into population of free atoms. The light then passes

through the free atoms population. The detectors then detect

the transmitted light.

Fig. 1. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy [6].

Fig. 2. Standard Calibration Curve

2nd International Conference on Medical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences (ICMBPS'2012) Singapore April 28-29, 2012

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C. Study FormatThis work was started with literature study about zinc metal

and after acquiring a suitable amount of information related

with zinc, the practical work was began as 1000 ppm (part per

million) stock / bulk solution of zinc was prepared. In order to

obtain stock solution we made a series of standard solutions of

0 ppm, 1 ppm, 2 ppm, 3 ppm and 4 ppm and established a

standard characteristic calibration curve. After that we prepared

sample solution of human blood serum of those people who

participated in our study as volunteers and were suffering from

increased concentrations of zinc in the body according to their

work places. In the end, the analysis of all 75 samples was

done on flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) and

then results have been acquired.

II. EXPERIMENTAL IMPLEMENTATIONA.Reagents

Zinc granules Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) Deionized water

B. Preparation of Stock / Bulk SolutionFor the preparation of stock / bulk solution, we dissolve 1.000gm of zinc granules in a minimum volume of 1:1 HCl then

dilute it up to 1 liter with 1 % v / v HCl which give a 1000 ppm(part per million) of zinc stock / bulk solution for furtherapplication in this research work.

C. Ppreparation of Standard SolutionsBy preparing a series of standard solutions of 0 ppm, 1 ppm, 2

ppm, 3 ppm and 4 ppm ranges (as per limits within the range)

made from stock / bulk solution we constructed a standard

calibration curve of zinc metal as it shown in figure 2.

D.Prepration of Samples

Preparation of blood samples was done by adding deionized

water with a ratio of 1:10 to the collected blood samples from

various individuals who were participated in our research [5]

and thus, the detection of zinc concentration done

automatically by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy.

III. RESULTSThe results of zinc concentration determination by using

flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS), in blood serum

of welders, dyers, carpenters, casters and flood victims with

dilution factor 1:10 for all samples is shown in Table I and

Table II.

IV. DISCUSSIONThe aim of this research was to determine the concentration

of zinc in human blood serum by using flame atomic

absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The blood samples were

collected from 75 volunteers who participated in our research

and we targeted those areas where we could found the

deficiency and toxicity of zinc. For this purpose we divided all

volunteers in 5 groups and each group was consisting of 15

volunteers and they were categorized as welders, dyers,

carpenters, casters and flood victims respectively. Comparisonof zinc detection with standard normal ranges of zinc

concentration in human blood i.e. 0.5-1.4 mg/l from table I and

II shows no significant deficiency or toxicity of zinc among

those volunteers who have been categorized as welders, dyers

and casters with respective to their experience of work.

Whereas only single volunteer among the categories of

carpenter and flood victim, are found slightly zinc deficient.

TABLE I. CONCENTRATION OF ZINC IN WELDERS AND DYERS

S. No. Zinc in Welders (mg/l) Zinc in Dyers (mg/l)

1 1.36 1.02

2 1.04 1.33

3 0.98 0.99

4 1.24 1.10

5 0.92 1.13

6 1.41 1.51

7 1.24 1.36

8 1.01 1.39

9 0.84 1.41

10 1.12 1.09

11 1.31 0.98

12 0.98 1.48

13 1.40 1.50

14 1.25 1.49

15 1.30 1.22

TABLE II. CONCENTRATION OF ZINC IN CARPENTERS,CASTERS AND

FLOOD VICTIMS

S. No.

Zinc in

Carpenters

(mg/l)

Zinc in

Casters

(mg/l)

Zinc in Flood

Victims

(mg/l)

1 0.44 1.12 1.16

2 0.89 1.31 1.23

3 1.00 1.26 1.80

4 0.46 1.36 0.22

5 1.46 1.30 1.50

6 0.89 1.46 1.13

7 0.65 1.38 1.02

8 0.44 1.29 1.43

9 1.02 1.51 1.70

10 1.20 1.66 1.1611 0.62 1.27 1.25

12 0.44 1.34 0.98

13 1.20 1.22 1.52

14 1.10 0.90 1.39

15 0.75 1.44 1.00


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V. CONCLUSIONFrom this work of zinc concentration determination among

welders, dyers, carpenters, casters and flood victims, it has

been noted from all five categories of blood donors as shown in

figure 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, carpenters and flood victims have a

chance to effected by zinc deficiency or toxicity, whereas

welders, dyers and casters has zinc concentration within the

normal ranges. But still we can say that, as they are being into

their professions for long period of time, they will definitely

have some serious hazardous effects of zinc, if proper

precautions shall not be taken.

REFERENCES

[1] Kenneth H. BrowWorkshop Papers Presented at the University ofCalifornia, Davis, California, USA, 2123 October 1999.

[2] J. Cecil Smith, Jr., James A. Halsted A Conspectus of Research on ZincRequirements of Man, Albany Medical College Albany, New York,USA, & Trace Element Research Laboratory Veterans AdministrationHospital, Washington, D. C.

[3] Clinical, Biochemical, and Pharmacological Role of Zinc, AnnualReview of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

[4] Office of the Dietary Supplements, National Institute of Health.Strengthening Knowledge and Understanding of Dietary Supplements.

[5] Qi Jian-Xin, Determination of Cu, Zn, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na and K in Serumby Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Human Medical

University, Changcha, Peoples Republic of China.[6] (http://web.nmsu.edu/~esevosti/scheme.htm)

Fig. 3. Bar Graph of Zinc Concentration in Welders

Fig. 4. Bar Graph of Zinc Concentration in Dyers

Fig. 5. Bar Graph of Zinc Concentration in Carpenters

Concentration of Zinc

00.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Individuals

concentration

Concentration of zinc

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Individuals

concentration


0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Individuals

con

cen

tration

Fig. 6. Bar Graph of Zinc Concentration in Casters

Fig. 7. Bar Graph of Zinc Concentration in Flood Victims

Concentration of zinc

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Individuals

conc

entration


0

0.5

1

1.5

2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

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concentration


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