Assessment of trace element compatibility in total parenteral nutrition infusions.

The application of X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy to detect elements collected from TPN mixtures on membrane filters has been investigated. Many simple total parenteral nutrition mixtures prepared aseptically in large bags can be stored for extended periods. Trace elements are normally excluded from such bags, because not enough is known about their long-term stability and compatibility in total parenteral nutrition mixtures. Assessing the compatibility of many trace elements by conventional methods that rely on detecting concentration changes is extremely difficult. Analysis of precipitates from total parenteral nutrition mixtures confirmed that the proposed method was capable of identifying a number of elements from the mixture in complex precipitates, including calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper and selenium.