Application of the line-width method to the spectrochemical analysis of oils,fats, and related substances

Summary The application of the line-width method to the spectrochemical analysis of oils and fats in conjunction with the use of an improved ashing technique has been shown to permit the quantitative determination of copper, iron, manganese, nickel, and tin in quantities as low as 1 part in 10 million. The procedure has been critically examined by precision tests on commercial and experimental samples, by accuracy tests on synthetic samples, and by recovery tests. Results of actual analysis of 30 vegetable oils and fats indicate the use of the procedure as a research tool. The procedure may be used for the trace element analysis of organic material low in ash content. One of the laboratories of the Bureau of Agricultural and Industrial Chemistry, Agricultural Research Administration, U. S. Department of Agriculture.