Magnesium contents in urine, plasma and erythrocyte samples: validation of analytical methodology using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Abstract

This study aimed at validating the methodology for analyzing magnesium contents in urine, plasma, and erythrocytes samples by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Pools of human urine, plasma, and erythrocytes samples were analyzed. The standard curve linearity, linear response range, detection limit (DL), quantitation limit (QL), precision, and accuracy of measurement were determined. DL and QL values were, respectively, 0.006 and 0.021 μg/mL of Mg for urine and plasma, and 0.003 and 0.010 μg/mL of Mg for erythrocytes. The linear response ranged from 0.05 to 0.5 μg/mL of Mg, and the standards curves showed the correlation coefficients higher than 0.99, which demonstrated the linearity of the methodology. Intra- and inter-assay precisions above 90% were considered adequate. The accuracy obtained with certified reference materials for urine and plasma was 101% and 97%, respectively. The average recoveries found by adding the standard were 87% for urine and erythrocytes, and 91% for plasma. Therefore, the evaluated methodology showed to be linear, sensitive, specific, precise and accurate, and the obtained results were reliable.