Abstract: Objective To explore a catalytic spectrophotometic method for the quantitative determination of trace elements germanium in Chinese herbal medicine (herba hedyotis). Methods Extraction of trace element germanium in herba hedyotis was examined by using ultrasonic cleaning equipment, and the content was determined by catalytic discoloring spectrophotometry. The reaction was studied, trace germanium (IV) could accelerate potassium bromate and hydrogen peroxide oxidize neutral red in H2SO4 medium, the established method could be used to determine catalytic spectrophotometric determination of trace germanium (IV). Results The results of this experiment indicated that inorganic germanium (IV) content in Chinese herbal medicine spreading herba hedyotis was 0.024 8 μg/g. Conclusion The sensitivity, the precision can meet the needs of the testing work well.

Key words: catalytic spectrophotometry, herbs, inorganic germanium