Studying the trivalent arsenic absorption by deproteinized human hair matrix

Abstract

Arsenic is a well known toxic substance in drinking water and its intake can cause severe pathological conditions. It is present in majorly in trivalent and pentavalent form, where the former is difficult to eliminate as it exists as neutral species in water. It is generally oxidised to pentavalent state before subjecting it to any other removal techniques. Here we use human hair matrix, after extracting proteins from it, to study absorption of trivalent arsenic. A solution of arsenic trioxide is used as test solution to ensure the presence of arsenic in trivalent form. The proteins from hair are extracted using Shindai method. The effect of pH of the solution used during the process is also studied within the range 7.5 to 9.5. Also heating using microwave is done instead of incubation and its result on absorption is recorded.