Optimization and validation of a fast digestion method for the determination of major and trace elements in breast milk by ICP-MS.

Optimization and validation of a fast digestion method for the determination of major and trace elements in breast milk by ICP-MS. Anal Chim Acta. 2018 Dec 21;1040:49-62 Authors: Astolfi ML, Marconi E, Protano C, Vitali M, Schiavi E, Mastromarino P, Canepari S Abstract Breast milk guarantees all the nutrients required by infants during their first few months of life and remains the most important food source for their health and growth. However, the mother may transfer potentially toxic chemicals to the suckling infant through breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to optimize and validate a fast method for the determination of a total content of 34 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Te, Ti, Tl, U, V, and Zn) in liquid and lyophilized breast milk. The samples were subjected to HNO3:H2O2 (2:1) digestion in an open vessel heated in a water bath (WBD; 80 °C) and subsequently analysed by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry equipped with a collision-reaction interface. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated in terms of selectivity, detection and quantification limits, linearity, accuracy, and robustness by using standard reference materials and filed samples of breast milk. Compared to microwave-assisted acid digestion, the proposed open vessel digestion allows a significant reduction in treatment time and sample mani...
Source: Analytica Chimica Acta - Category: Chemistry Authors: Tags: Anal Chim Acta Source Type: research