Determination of eight metal elements in safflower seed and safflower meal by FAAS method

Microelement nutrients of safflower seed and byproduct were studied. Samples were digested by HNO3 and HCl O4 mixed acid, then the contents of eight metal elements ( sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc) in safflower seed and safflower meal were determined by air- acetylene flame atomic absorption spectrometry ( FAAS) . The results showed that the metal elements were rich in safflower seed and safflower meal.Content of the sequence was both K > Ca > Mg > Fe > Zn > Na > Mn > Cu. Compared with safflower seed, Zn in safflower meal was significantly lower than that of safflower meal, other seven elements contents were slightly higher than that of safflower seed.The recoveries ranged from 91.2% to 107.4% and RSD was below 3.5%. The correlation coefficients was more than 0.999. It could be concluded that the method could be applied to determine eight metal elements in safflower seed and safflower meal.