Determination of Copper, Iron, and Zinc in Crayfish (Procambrus clarkii) by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectrometry

ABSTRACT

Inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry was used to determine copper, iron, and zinc in both whole Crayfish and tail meat of crayfish from selected areas in southwestern Louisiana. Also included was a comparison between male and female crayfish. Results showed no significant difference between male and female crayfish and individuals from different sites. Iron was approximately four times greater in concentration for whole crayfish compared with tail meat.

KEYWORDS:

• copper
• crawfish
• crayfish
• ICP-OES
• iron
• zinc

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was presented, in part, at a undergraduate poster session at the 62nd Southwest Regional Meeting of The American Chemical Society in Houston, Texas, on 19–21 October, 2006. This work was supported through a grant from Merck undergraduate research program.

Notes

t = tail meat, w = whole, f = female, and m = male.