Flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of Cd, Pb, and Cu in food samples after pre-concentration using 4-(2-thiazolylazo) resorcinol-modified activated carbon

•A low-cost activated carbon was produced and used for metal enrichment.•Matrix effects were investigated.•The validation was evaluated by the analysis of certified reference material.•The method has been applied for determination of analytes in food samples.

This work aimed to develop a solid-phase extraction method using low-cost activated carbon produced from waste and modified with 4-(2-thiazolylazo) resorcinol for Cd(II), Pb(II), and Cu(II). The results showed that quantitative recovery of analytes was obtained at pH 6 with 3 M nitric acid as the eluent and a sample volume up to 1000 mL. The method was validated using certified reference material and addition-recovery tests. The limits of detection (LODs) for Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cu(II) were 2.03 μg L−1, 0.15 μg L−1, and 0.19 μg L−1, respectively. The procedure was applied for determination of analytes in food samples.

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