Abstract

Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, with Zeeman background correction and improved matrix modification, was used to measure the plasma selenium content of healthy blood bank donors at the sea-side part of Belgium. The mean plasma selenium concentration of 100 men and 100 women was 79.3 ± 11.0 ng/ml with a range of 51.9 – 117.7 ng/ml. Women tended to have lower selenium levels compared to men, but at a statistically insignificant level (p > 0.05). No effect of age was observed. The mean plasma selenium concentration measured corresponded well with literature data for Belgium. The obtained values were found to be in the medium range, compared with recent literature values for the European countries. Some factors, influencing concentration levels, are discussed.

Author Details

Authors

• R. Van Cauwenbergh¹
• H. Robberecht¹
• V. Van Vlaslaer²
• A. De Smet³
• M.-P. Emonds³
• N. Hermans¹

Departments

• ¹ Laboratory of Nutrition and Functional Food Science, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp,
• ² Plantijn Hogeschool, Antwerp and
• ³ Rode Kruis Vlaanderen, Bloedtransfusiecentrum Vlaams-Brabant-Limburg, Centraal Donorlaboratorium, Leuven, Belgium

Address

Dr. H. Robberecht
Laboratory of Nutrition and Functional Food Science
Department of Pharmaceutical
Sciences
University of Antwerp
Universiteitsplein 1 (CDE)
2610 Antwerp, Belgium
Email: [email protected]

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