Determination of ultrafiltrable zinc in plasma by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Ultrafiltrable zinc can be determined in small volumes of plasma by using Amicon ultrafiltration membrane cones and either flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry or 65Zn. The ultrafiltration membrane cone is made sufficiently zinc-free by acid washing, followed by rinsing with de-ionized water. Within-run CVs were 12 and 10%, respectively, for the two methods. Matrix effects are compensated for by using standards in solutions with an inorganic matrix that simulates the sample matrix. Results for ultrafiltrable zinc by the two techniques agreed, and agreed with previously published data obtained by different ultrafiltration techniques. The mean (and SD) percentage of plasma zinc that was ultrafiltrable in 12 control subjects was 1.0 (0.5) by AAS and 0.7 (0.3) by 65Zn.