TRACE-ELEMENT DETERMINATION IN DRUGS BY TOTAL-REFLECTION X-RAY-FLUORESCENCE SPECTROMETRY

The capability of total-reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TX RF) for the determination of trace elements in drugs is described. Var ious samples of lecithin, insulin, procaine and tryptophan of differen t origin were investigated. The element concentrations provide element fingerprints which offer the possibility to discriminate between diff erent batches of the analysed substances originating from different pr oduction or purification processes. TXRF facilitates the characterizat ion of such samples without extensive pre-treatment, and provides fast multi-element determination of elements with atomic numbers 14 < Z < 92 based on matrix-independent quantification by means of an internal standard. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.