Colorimetric determination of some toxic metal ions in post-mortem biological samples

Simple, rapid, sensitive, precise and accurate spectrophotometeric methods for detection and removal of ultra-traces of some toxic metal ions such as Cu(II), Pb(II), Hg(II) and Cd(II) in water and in biological samples have been developed. The procedure depends on a single-step detection and removal for metal ions based on dithizone (Dz) anchored on mesoporous TiO2 with rapid colorimetric response and high selectivity for the first time. The developed sensor was utilized for the detection of ultra-traces of some toxic metal ions with the naked eye. The new sensor displays high sensitivity and selectivity of a wide range of detectable metals analytes up to 10(-9) mol dm(-3) in solution. The proposed method was applied to the determination of the examined metal ions in post-mortem biological samples. Statistical comparison of the results with the reference method shows excellent agreement and indicates no significant difference in accuracy and precision. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.