Determination of molybdenum in plasma using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A sensitive method is described for the determination of Mo in plasma or serum by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The method involves extraction of the metal as the 8-hydroxyquinoline complex and is free of the interference effects that prevent the direct analysis of plasma for Mo. Recoveries of internal standards were excellent and results from the analysis of a National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material were in good agreement with certified values. The sensitivity of the method, based on the analysis of 1 ml of plasma, is ca. 3 ng ml-1.