Studies on Conditions of Pretreatment with a Plasma Systems for Determination of Heavy Metals in Edible Oil

Abstract

For the determination of heavy metals in edible oil with atomic absorption method, an effective technique with a low tempereture asher using the oxygen plasma have not been established.
When some oils were tried to be ashed, they were easily polymerized to become resin form, and ashing time need for a month.
In order to reduce the ashing time, some additives which serve as intermediate to enlarge oil surface and as catalyst for oxidation were examined.
In the case of addition of agar or cornstarch to oil, oil became spongy form and ashing was completed within about 48hr.
But agar was not suitable for the analytical purpose with the atomic absorption method on account of the presence of heavy metals contaminant.
Therefore cornstarch was most suitable ashing agent, when food oil was ashed with a plasma system.