美国药典重金属检查法

231 HEAVY METALS This test is provided to demonstrate that the content of metallic impurities that are colored by sulfide ion, under the specified test conditions, does not exceed the Heavy metals limit specified in the individual monograph in percentage (by weight) of lead in the test substance, as determined by concomitant visual comparison (see Visual Comparison in the section Procedure under Spectrophotometry and Light-Scattering 851 ) with a control prepared from a Standard Lead Solution. [NOTE—Substances that typically will respond to this test are lead, mercury, bismuth, arsenic, antimony, tin, cadmium, silver, copper, and molybdenum.] Determine the amount of heavy metals by Method I, unless otherwise specified in the individual monograph. Method I is used for substances that yield clear, colorless preparations under the specified test conditions. Method II is used for substances that do not yield clear, colorless preparations under the test conditions specified for Method I, or for substances that, by virtue of their complex nature, interfere with the precipitation of metals by sulfide ion, or for fixed and volatile oils. Method III, a wet-digestion method, is used only in those cases where neither Method I nor Method II can be used. Special Reagents Lead Nitrate Stock Solution— Dissolve 159.8 mg of lead nitrate in 100 mL of water to which has been added 1 mL of nitric acid, then dilute with water to 1000 mL. Prepare and store this solution in glass containers free from soluble lead salts. Standard Lead Solution— On the day of use, dilute 10.0 mL of Lead Nitrate Stock Solution with water to 100.0 mL. Each mL of Standard Lead Solution contains the equivalent of 10 μg of lead. A comparison solution prepared on the basis of 100 μL of Standard Lead Solution per g of substance being tested contains the equivalent of 1 part of lead per million parts of substance being tested. Method I pH 3.5 Acetate Buffer— Dissolve 25.0 g of ammonium acetate in 25 mL of water, and add 38.0 mL of 6 N hydrochloric acid. Adjust, if necessary, with 6 N ammonium hydroxide or 6 N hydrochloric acid to a pH of 3.5, dilute with water to 100 mL, and mix. Standard Preparation— Into a 50-mL color-comparison tube pipet 2 mL of Standard Lead Solution (20 μg of Pb), and dilute with water to 25 mL. Using a pH meter or short-range pH indicator paper as external indicator, adjust with 1 N acetic acid or 6 N ammonium hydroxide to a pH between 3.0 and 4.0, dilute with water to 40 mL, and mix. Test Preparation— Into a 50-mL color-comparison tube place 25 mL of the solution prepared for the test as directed in the individual monograph; or, using the designated volume of acid where specified in the individual monograph, dissolve in and dilute with water to 25 mL the quantity, in g, of the substance to be tested, as calculated by the formula: 2.0/(1000L), in which L is the Heavy metals limit, as a percentage. Using a pH meter or short-range pH indicator paper as external indicator, adjust with 1 N acetic acid or 6 N ammonium hydroxide to a pH between 3.0 and 4.0, dilute with water to 40 mL, and mix. Monitor Preparation— Into a third 50-mL color-comparison tube place 25 mL of a solution prepared as directed for Test Preparation, and add 2.0 mL of Standard Lead Solution. Using a pH meter or short-range pH indicator paper as external indicator, adjust with 1 N acetic acid or 6 N ammonium hydroxide to a pH between 3.0 and 4.0, dilute with water to 40 mL, and mix. Procedure— To each of the three tubes containing the Standard Preparation, the Test Preparation, and the Monitor Preparation, add 2 mL of pH 3.5 Acetate Buffer, then add 1.2 mL of thioacetamide–glycerin base TS, dilute with water to 50 mL, mix, allow to stand for 2 minutes, and view downward over a white surface *: the color of the solution from the Test Preparation is not darker than that of the solution from the Standard Preparation, and the color of the solution from the Monitor Preparation is equal to or darker than that of the solution from the Standard Preparation. [NOTE—If the color of the Monitor Preparation is lighter than that of the Standard Preparation, use Method II instead of Method I for the substance being tested.] Method II NOTE—This method does not recover mercury. pH 3.5 Acetate Buffer— Prepare as directed under Method I. Standard Preparation— Pipet 4 mL of the Standard Lead Solution into a suitable test tube, and add 10 mL of 6 N hydrochloric acid. Test Preparation— Use a quantity, in g, of the substance to be tested as calculated by the formula: 4.0/(1000L), in which L is the Heavy metals limit, as a percentage. Transfer the weighed quantity of the substance to a suitable crucible, add sufficient sulfuric acid to wet the substance, and carefully ignite at a low temperature until thoroughly charred. (The crucible may be loosely covered with a suitable lid during the charring.) Add to the carbonized mass 2 mL of nitric acid and 5 drops of sulfuric acid, and heat cautiously until white fumes no longer are evolved. Ignite, preferably in a muffle furnace, at 500 to 600 , until the carbon is completely burned off (no longer than 2 hours). If carbon remains, allow the residue to cool, add a few drops of sulfuric acid, evaporate, and ignite again. Cool, add 5 mL of 6 N hydrochloric acid, cover, and digest on a steam bath for 10 minutes. Cool, and quantitatively transfer the solution to a test tube. Rinse the crucible with a second 5-mL portion of 6 N hydrochloric acid, and transfer the rinsing to the test tube.