ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses sample preparation, final determination, and some quality control aspects for the following elements: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, nickel, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, and selenium. While foods contain essential components, such as a number of amino acids, proteins, and minerals, they also contain residues of compounds used during production as well as contaminants resulting from activities and the subsequent pollution of the environment. Test systems using kidney as indicator tissue for muscle have the advantage of better sensitivity, because with most antimicrobial residues the highest free drug concentrations are found in the kidney and renal pelvis. A multiresidue method for antimicrobials in milk has been developed, which is based on the binding reaction between functional groups of the drug and receptor sites on added microbial cells. Special precautions must be taken to prevent contamination from both the atmosphere and the chemicals used.
