Determination of Sulfur in Grape and Apricot Samples Using High-resolution Continuum Source Electrothermal Molecular Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

The determination of sulfur in apricot and grape samples was performed by using high-resolution continuum source electrothermal molecular absorption spectrometry based on vaporization of the carbon monosulfide (CS) molecule. CS forms in the gas phase without the addition of any molecule-forming element, since graphite cuvette contains plenty of carbon as well as food samples. A mixture of 15 mu g Pd + 10 mu g Mg was used in solution as the chemical modifier. The best sensitivity was obtained at 900 degrees C of the pyrolysis temperature with a K2SO4 calibration solution. The calibration plot drew a linear path between 50 and 1600 ng of sulfur, and the limit of detection was found to be 23 ng. The accuracy of the method was confirmed with the use of a standard reference material (Rice Flour, NIST SRM 1568a). The sulfur content in chemically dried apricot samples (1987 +/- 45 mg/kg) was determined to be higher than that of apricot samples dried under sunshine.