Determination of trace elements in heroin by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry using ultrasonic nebulization

A method for the determination of Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, S, Sr and Zn in heroin samples by ICP-AES using ultrasonic nebulization is described. The samples were microwave digested with HNO3. To improve the detection limits and minimise the matrix interferences the experimental parameters were optimised by variation of the operating power, carrier gas flow rate and observation height above the load coil. Optimum operating conditions for most of the analytes were at operating power 1550 W, carrier gas flow rate between 0.8 and 1.0 l min−1 and observation height between 10 and 12 mm above load coil. The limits of detection were below 0.5 μg g−1 (dry mass) for most of the elements investigated. The analytical recoveries of spiked samples were in the range between 94 and 103% and precision was on average better than 6%. The analysis of heroin samples shows that the method is simple, rapid and capable of providing accurate results for all the analytes investigated with the exception of nickel which was below the limit of detection in the analyzed samples.