Electron probe microanalysis of chemical elemental content of single human red cells

Sodium, potassium, iron and sulfur contents of single human red cells were measured using electron microprobe microanalysis. Three preparative procedures were compared, and the most reliable technique was found to be spraying of cells onto polished pyrolytic graphite by atomization. Primary standards were prepared by adjusting the intracellular electrolyte content of red cells, eliminating the need to correct for X-ray absorption. Samples were stable under the electron beam during analysis, and could be stored for long periods of time. Strong correlations were found between the X-ray intensities of iron and sulfur and between potassium and sodium. X-ray intensities of potassium and sodium were found to be directly proportional to internal ionic content. Large populations of single cells could be analyzed and the distribution of their elemental content studied.