Simultaneous determination of cadmium and iron in different kinds of cereal flakes using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for simultaneous determination of cadmium and iron in cereal flakes using high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry is presented. Sample digest is introduced into the graphite furnace together with Pd/Mg(NO3)(2) modifier. The primary absorption line of cadmium and adjacent secondary line of iron are used for the determination. Atomization is performed as a two-step process in order to meet ideal conditions for both elements. Interference produced by molecular absorption of PO molecular bands is suppressed by correction model using least squares background correction. Using the proposed method, levels of cadmium and iron were determined in different kinds of cereal flakes, where both elements are of great interest. Working range (0.01-2 mu g L-1 for Cd and 10-500 mu g L-1 for Fe) was suitable for the determination of analytes in samples. The method is fast, robust, and may be routinely used routinely in the analysis of foodstuffs.