Determination of Elements in Biological and Botanical Materials by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission and Mass Spectrometry After Extraction With a Tertiary Amine Reagent

Abstract

A simple inductively coupled plasma atomic emission and mass spectrometric (ICP-AES and ICP-MS) analysis procedure for biological and botanical materials was developed based on an extraction with a commercial, water-soluble tertiary amine solution. Standard reference materials were dispersed in a 10% v/v amine mixture at pH 8 and the resulting dispersion was agitated for 30 min at room temperature. After centrifugation, Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, K and Zn were determined by ICP-AES and As, Ba, Ca, Cu, Pb, Mn, Mo, Rb, Se, Cr and Zn were determined by ICP-MS in the supernatant. Recoveries of nearly all elements in most samples were close to 100%, and no significant difference at a 95% confidence level was found between determined and certified values. Low recoveries were observed for Al and Fe in all materials and for Ca in spinach and apple leaves. The simple procedure is useful for screening purposes in the analysis of biological and botanical materials.