Analysis for bismuth in tissue by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

We developed a simple method for the analysis of bismuth (Bi) in biological tissue, using wet digestion for sample pretreatment. Bi was determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with platinum as a matrix modifier to decrease the volatility of Bi. The furnace program included a gas stop for sensitivity enhancement. Analytical performance was established for Bi in kidney, liver, brain, and bone. As little as 25 ng/g wet weight can be detected in the most concentrated digests. Homogenization of bone was necessary before digestion, and its matrix showed the strongest interference. In rats exposed orally to colloidal bismuth subcitrate for 14 days, the metal could be detected in liver, kidney, and spleen but not in brain and bone. In the tissues of 12 patients who died from non-Bi-related causes, no Bi were present in kidney in the other 2.