Cesium Determination in Physiological Fluids and Tissues by Field Desorption Mass Spectrometry≠

Abstract

Quantitative ultratrace analysis (10 nmol to 10 .mu.mol/l) of Cs in biological samples such as human body fluids and animal tissues is performed without any prior purification or concentration steps. The normal level of Cs ions in [sheep] heart cells was determined. After poisoning these cells with high concentrations of the alkali cation, much higher levels were found inside the cells than had been suggested previously. Field desorption mass spectrometry is a unique tool for the qualitative and quantitative investigations of metal cations in biological material.