Intercomparison between energy‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence and stripping potentiometry for the determination of copper levels in human serum

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Abstract
The accurate determination of trace elements in blood serum samples is important for establishing nutritional status and/or determining the influence of environmental or pathogenic factors in humans. XRF has for a long time been used as a rapid and convenient method for trace element determinations. However, many other methods are in use, including stripping potentiometry (SP). This is generally known to have much lower detection limits than XRF. In order to compare the two methods, which are based on entirely different physical principles, both methods were used for the determination of copper in two different kinds of serum samples, a standard serum (Seronorm) and a sample taken from a hospital in Sweden. Both methods agreed within the standard deviation of each method. The sample preparation for both methods and the quality of the standard serum are discussed.