MOSSBAUER SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE FORMS OF IRON IN NORMAL HUMAN LIVER AND SPLEEN TISSUE

Mossbauer spectra of 12 normal human spleen and 12 normal human liver samples (post mortem) from Australia and Thailand have been recorded a t 78 K. The spectra show the presence of iron in the form of ferrihydr ite, together with some deoxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin in some samp les. The spectra were used in conjunction with elemental analysis to c alculate the non-heme iron concentrations in the tissues. The mean non heme iron concentration in the Thai livers was significantly less than that for the Australian samples. The goethite-like form of hemosideri n that has been observed in some pathological tissues was not detected .