Ways to carry out trace analysis in practice

摘要

In analytical chemistry a trace element is an element in a sample that has an average concentration of less than 100 parts per million atoms, or less than 100μg/g (100mg/kg), said Andy Pickett, of Ipsen Biopharm Ltd, Wrexham. The use of biological macromol-ecules — proteins — for therapeutic purposes is now part of routine treatment for many medical conditions. Many of these proteins have activities at trace levels, parts per million or lower, and therefore their analysis presents challenges. Nevertheless, advanced technology has been used for the routine analysis of these products. Analysis of molecules with such potency has followed routine practices for proteins, but the materials must be handled under special containment conditions, especially when high concentrations are needed to obtain an analytical response.