Determination of iron and copper in peanuts by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using acid digestion

Peanuts can be effectively digested by treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide in approximately 30 min for the rapid deter mination of iron and copper by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Under optimum conditions, the results of the analysis of peanut sample solu tions by aqueous standard calibration graphs agree well with those obtained by the AOAC's recommended method. Recoveries ranged from 99 to 101% and th e relative standard deviation is approximately 1%. The proposed method is a pplied to the determination of iron (38 mu g g-(1)) and copper (10 mu g g(- 1)) in peanut samples. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.