Investigation of Distribution for Trace Lead and Cadmium in Chinese Herbal Medicines and Their Decoctions by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Lead and cadmium in herbal medicines are highly toxic to living organisms even in low concentrations. An effective method is developed for analysis of trace lead and cadmium in Chinese herbal medicines and their decoctions by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The effects of analytical conditions on absorbance were investigated and optimized. A water-dissolving capability for Pb and Cd was investigated, and the contents of different species in five Chinese herbal medicines and their decoctions were analyzed. The content ratios (kow) of n-octanol-soluble Pb or Cd to water-soluble Pb or Cd were evaluated, and the distribution of Pb and Cd in water decoction at stomach and intestine acidities was developed, in the first time. The contents of water-soluble Pb and Cd, n-octanol-soluble Pb and Cd, and their content ratios were related with the kind of medicine and the acidity of the decoction. The proposed method has the advantages of simple operation, high sensitivity and high speed, with 3 σ detection limits of 4.2 pg for Pb and 0.1 pg for Cd.