Open AccessQuantitative magnesium analysis of mononuclear cells: Electron probe x‐ray microanalysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy methods compared
Author(s) -
Hook Gregory R.,
Hosseini Jeanette M.,
Elin Ronald J.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of clinical laboratory analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1098-2825
pISSN - 0887-8013
DOI - 10.1002/jcla.1860010117
Subject(s) - microanalysis , magnesium , atomic absorption spectroscopy , chemistry , analytical chemistry (journal) , electron probe microanalysis , spectroscopy , absorption (acoustics) , absorption spectroscopy , electron microprobe , materials science , chromatography , mineralogy , optics , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , composite material
We quantitated magnesium concentration of pooled human peripheral mononuclear blood cell populations and individual human peripheral mononuclear blood cells by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and electron probe X‐ray microanalysis, respectively. We found no significant difference ( p > .1) between the mean cell magnesium concentrations (61.4 ± 10.9 and 51.2 ± 11.2 mmol/kg dry weight) determined by electron probe X‐ray microanalysis and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, respectively. Using electron probe X‐ray microanalysis, we found a 20% variation in magnesium concentration among individual cells. The cell magnesium concentration was independent of cell size, but the cell magnesium content increased with cell volume. We discuss the analytical limitations and artifacts of flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and electron probe X‐ray microanalysis for determination of mononuclear blood cell magnesium.