Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the determination of selenium in biological samples

The determination of selenium by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), using an enriched stable isotope 76Se as internal standard, is described. Reference values for selenium in human biological fluids (serum, red blood cells and urine) are reported. With the advent of new compact capillary GC-MS (benchtop) instruments, this method will be very simple and accurate for routine analysis.