Indirect measurement of desferrioxamine and its chelated compounds aluminoxamine and ferrioxamine by Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry.

This indirect method for determination of desferrioxamine (DFO, deferoxamine, Desferal) and its chelated compounds ferrioxamine (FO) and aluminoxamine (AIO) in biological fluids involves metal chelate formation and solvent extraction, the metal being determined by Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry (Zeeman-AAS). Special attention was paid to the pH and recovery of extraction, iron-aluminum interactions, extraction times and volumes, centrifugation rates, and instrument settings. Precautions were taken to avoid contamination with aluminum and iron and to prevent co-extraction of iron and aluminum not chelated to DFO. The addition calibration technique was used for standardization. Mean +/- SD recoveries of AIO and FO after extraction were respectively 98.3% +/- 3.7% and 101% +/- 3.7%. Sensitivity was 45 pg/0.0044 A.s for aluminum and 10 pg/0.0044 A.s for iron. Detection limits were 0.22 mumol/L for AIO, 0.06 mumol/L for DFO and FO.