Evaluation of multielement in serum of healthy population of the metropolitan area of the state of Rio de Janeiro by TXRF

The determination of multielemental concentrations in physiological fluids is of considerable interest in clinical chemistry. Since it has been established this levels in human serum can be utilized as indicators for several pathological conditions. The multielement composition determination in human serum is important for the investigation of their role in human physiology and metabolism. From this research, more detailed studies on the health of individuals living in the metropolitan region of the state of Rio de Janeiro can be realized in order to improve the quality of life of these individuals. We studied three hundred and sixty healthy volunteers (162 males and 198 females) aged 18 to 60 years old. All the serum samples had been collected of people who live in the urban area of Rio de Janeiro City/Brazil. The measurements were performed at the X-Ray Fluorescence Beamline at the Brazilian National Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), in Campinas, Sao Paulo using a monochromatic beam with maximum energy of 20 keV for the excitation and an Ultra-LEGe detector with resolution of 148 eV at 5.9 keV. Standards solutions with Vanadium and Galium (Internal standards) were prepared for the calibration system. It was possible to determine the elemental concentrations of the following eleven elements: Na, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br and Rb. (author)