Determination of organosilicon oxide polymers in tissue by atomic absorption spectroscopy using HGA graphite furnace

A simple method of extraction and determination of organosilicon oxide polymers (silicones) in 0.1-0.5 g of formalin fixed tissue by atomic absorption spectroscopy is described. Before the tissue is extracted with n-heptane, it is dried in a desiccator containing concentrated sulphuric acid. The graphite tubes in the HGA graphite furnace are tubes with L'vov platform. The evaporation of n-heptane and a part of the charing of the tissue extract in the tube are done in the presence of oxygen (air). The significance of the employment of L'vov platform and the presence of oxygen are discussed. The methods detection limit (2 X S.D.) is about 0.009 microgram silicon/ml tissue extract which corresponds to about 0.5 microgram polydimethylsiloxane/g tissue.