Speciation Analysis of 4 Trace Elements in Whole Scorpion

Contents and species of 4 trace elements, i.e. copper, zinc, iron and manganese in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) of whole scorpion were studied. Methods for extraction and separation of the species (including soluble, suspended, inorganic and organic species) from the sample were described in detail. FAAS was used for the determination of the 4 elements in the testing solutions. It was found that the total extraction rates of the elements were in the range of 39.9%-63.2% and the ratios of extractive species and residual species in the range of 73.6%-126.0%. Adsorptivity of the suspended species was about 10%. The ratios of organic species to inorganic species of Cu, Zn, Fe and Mg were in the range of 250.0%-550.0%.