Sample Combustion Apparatus for Liquid Scintillation Counting

Abstract

Combustion method as preparation of samples for liquid scintillation counting is studied. Usually, very different kinds of biological samples such as plant, animal tissues, etc, are used in studies using liquid scintillation counting. Combustion method seems to be proper to prepare these samples by reasons of its simplicity and reliability. In this method, a ³H or ¹⁴C labelled sample is combusted in an oxygen filled flask, and converted to THO or ¹⁴CO₂.
Combustion conditions for several samples and collection methods for H₂O and CO₂ are investigated. A circular flow collection method is applied to the collection, and collection efficiencies of more than 95% and 98% are obtained for H₂O and CO₂ respectively. According to these experimental results, a sample combustion apparatus is constructed as commercial product. Several examples of liquid scintillation counting measurements for samples prepared with this combustion apparatus are reported.