The determination of chlorine, bromide and iodine in biological material by activation analysis

Abstract

Methods are described for the determination of Cl, Br and I in biological material by neutron-activation analysis. The ultimate limits of detection of the method are approximately 10-8 g for Cl, 10-9 g for Br and 10-10 g for I. The 3 halogens were determined in seeds of the tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) and in the nutrient solution on which the plant subsisted. Both Br and I are concentrated relative to Cl in the seeds, suggesting a physiological need for these elements. The mean values for the 3 halogens in whole human blood were found to be 2730 [mu]g/g (Cl; 7 patients), 2.75 [mu]g/g- (Br, 7 patients) and 0.0419 [mu]g/g (I; 3 patients). The method is particularly recommended for the determination of Br, since it is more sensitive and less subject to interference by other halogens than are other current methods.