ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

- Used to determine metal concentrations in samples.
- Widely used in pharmaceuticals, environmental science, and food safety.
- Ideal for detecting toxic metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.

- Based on the principle that atoms or ions in the ground state absorb light at specific, unique wavelengths.
- Absorption of light causes these atoms or ions to be excited to a higher energy state.
- The amount of light absorbed is directly proportional to the concentration of the element in the sample.
- The Beer-Lambert Law describes the relationship between light absorption and concentration of the element.

Main Principle of AAS

Ground state

What state must atoms or ions be in to absorb light in AAS?

Excitation to a higher energy state

This event occurs when atoms in AAS absorb specific wavelengths of light.

Element concentration

In AAS, the amount of light absorbed is directly proportional to what?

Beer-Lambert Law

This law mathematically relates light absorption to concentration and is applied in AAS.

Free atoms

The measurable signal in AAS results from how much light is absorbed by these particles.

LIGHT SOURCE
CHOPPER
SAMPLE INTRODUCTION SYSTEM
ATOMIZER
MONOCHROMATORS
DETECTORS
AMPLIFIERS
READOUT DEVICES

INSTRUMENT COMPONENTS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy)

- Detects Toxic heavy metals in drugs and supplements
- Ensures regulatory compliance and patient safety.
- Supports quality control and raw material screening.

APPLICATIONS IN PHARMACY

Developing an analytical method using atomic absorption spectroscopy to estimate some heavy metals in medicines, nutritional supplements, and blood

Title of Journal Article

Sample Collection

JOURNAL METHODOLOGY SUMMARY
Samples were collected from a wide range of products and Blood samples were collected from volunteers following ethical guidelines.

Solid samples were ground into powder and digested with acids. Blood samples were centrifuged and digested

JOURNAL METHODOLOGY SUMMARY
Sample Preparation

Flame AAS
Graphite Furnace

JOURNAL METHODOLOGY SUMMARY
The AAS method was used to analyze the samples for heavy metals. Two types were used:

Lead
Cadmium

AAS Analysis
Flame AAS

Mercury
Arsenic

AAS Analysis
Graphite Furnace

Calibration Curve

JOURNAL METHODOLOGY SUMMARY
Were created to establish a linear relationship between absorbance and concentration.

Validation

JOURNAL METHODOLOGY SUMMARY
The method' s accuracy, precision, and detection limits were validated through experiments

Quality Control

JOURNAL METHODOLOGY SUMMARY
Reagent blanks, certified reference materials, duplicate analyses, and continuing calibration verification were used to ensure the reliability of the results

Lead
Mercury
Cadmium
Arsenic

Heavy Metals Used

Limit of Detection

- The lowest amount of an analyte that can be detected but not necessarily quantified under the stated conditions.
- Determining if a trace amount of a substance is present.

Limit of Quantification

- The lowest amount of an analyte that can be measured quantitatively with acceptable precision and accuracy.
- Determining the exact concentration of a substance.

Hollow Cathode Lamp (HCL)
Electrodeless Discharge Lamp (EDL)

Light Source Commonly Used

Chopper

- Interrupts the steady light beam at regular intervals to distinguish between the light from the source and background light.
- Purpose: Converts DC light into AC signal, allowing for better signal processing and eliminating background noise.

Sample Introduction System

- Components: Nebulizer and spray chamber.
- Converts liquid sample into a fine mist (aerosol) for introduction into the atomizer.
- Purpose: Ensures consistent delivery of the sample for accurate atomization.

Atomizer

- Types: Flame atomizer or Graphite Furnace (electrothermal atomizer).
- Converts aerosol into free ground-state atoms by applying heat.
- Purpose: Atoms absorb light at specific wavelengths, allowing quantification.