April 17th 2024
A recent study led by Detlef Gunther examined using laser ablation with inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-TOF-MS) in quantifying elements in biotissues of plants.
Donald J. Douglas Wins 2022 Winter Conference Lifetime Achievement Award in Plasma Spectroscopy
January 14th 2022Donald J. Douglas has won the 2022 Winter Conference Lifetime Achievement Award in Plasma Spectroscopy. Douglas will receive the award, presented by Thermo Fisher Scientific, on Monday, January 17, at the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry in Tuscon, Arizona.
The 2022 Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award
January 1st 2022Denise M. Mitrano of ETH Zurich, the 2022 winner of the Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award, is applying ICP-MS and single-particle ICP-MS to elucidate the transport and impact of nanomaterials and nano- and microplastics.
Determination of Elemental Impurities in a Nasal Spray Using ICP-MS
December 7th 2021A tutorial and spreadsheet for the validation and bottom-up uncertainty evaluation of quantifications performed by instrumental methods of analysis based on linear weighted calibrations were presented by Ricardo J.N. Bettencourt da Silva of the University of Lisbon in Lisbon, Portugal, and colleagues. This software tool was successfully applied to the determination of the mass concentration of Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Co, V, and Ni in a nasal spray by ICP-MS after samples dilution and acidification. Bettencourt da Silva spoke to Spectroscopy about applying this software tool and the implications for a better understanding of quantitative analytical results.
Impact of Measurement Protocol on ICP-MS Data Quality Objectives: Part I
October 1st 2021The way the analytical signal is managed in ICP-MS has a direct impact on the results generated. In this first of a two-part series, we explain the fundamental principles of a scanning quadrupole and how measurement protocols can be optimized based on data quality objectives.
Studying Inorganic Arsenic, Heavy Metals, and Iodine in Dried Seaweed
September 1st 2021Seaweed has become a popular ingredient in Western diets. Concerns for heavy metals and inorganic arsenic have been raised as potential risks to consumers. Methods for analysis are described, including microwave digestion, HPLC, and ICP-MS for quantitation and speciation.
The Determination of Metals in Disposable, Non-Medical Face Masks by ICP-OES
September 1st 2021The determination of metals in hygienic face masks is important for global heath at this time. Following the guidelines of ISO 18562-4, an ICP-OES method is described including sample preparation, analysis, and validation of the methodology.
Investigating Lanthanide Deposition Patterns in Tissue Using LA-ICP-MS Imaging
September 1st 2021Uwe Karst of the University of Münster in Germany explains the use of laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) imaging to provide spatially resolved quantification of trace elements in biological samples.
Advancing Metal-Based Anticancer Drugs with ICP-MS and Imaging MS Techniques
August 9th 2021Metallomics approaches based on mass spectrometry have become increasingly important in the support of developing metal-based anticancer drugs. This area is a key focus for Gunda Koellensperger and her colleagues at the University of Vienna (Austria) and they recently published an article discussing this state-of-the-art instrumentation, as well as highlighting recent analytical advances, focusing especially on the latest developments in inductively coupled plasma-–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Analyzing Water Samples Using EPA Method 200.8 to Support the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
May 1st 2021EPA Method 200.8 and the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions don’t allow use of modern ICP-MS technology with a collision cell. Instead, correction equations can be used to compensate for polyatomic interferences.
Heavy Metals in Pet Food: Changes in Heavy Metal Contamination in Pet Food Over the Past Decade
March 1st 2021Analysis of heavy metals in pet food using ICP–OES was conducted to determine if there were potentially toxic elements present. Many of the samples showed significant concentrations of various toxic metals.
Quantitative Methods for Multielemental Analysis in Low Volume Biofluids
September 21st 2020Tobias Konz of Nestlé Research, Lausanne, Switzerland and various associates have developed and validated what they describe as a reliable, robust, and easy-to-implement quantitative method for multielemental analysis of low-volume samples. The ICP-MS-based method comprises the analysis of 20 elements (Mg, P, S, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, I, Cs, and Ba) in 10 μL of serum and 12 elements (Mg, S, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn Se, Br, Rb, Mo, and Cs) in less than 250,000 cells, and involved the analysis of elemental profiles of serum and sorted immune T cells derived from naıv̈e and tumor-bearing mice. The results indicate a tumor systemic effect on the elemental profiles of both serum and T cells. Konz and his colleagues believe their approach highlights promising applications of multielemental analysis in precious samples such as rare cell populations or limited volumes of biofluids that could provide a deeper understanding of the essential role of elements as cofactors in biological and pathological processes. Konz spoke to us about this work.
Accurate, Low-Level Sulfur Analysis by ICP-MS Using MS/MS with Oxygen Reaction Cell Gas
September 1st 2020Combined with appropriate selection of instrument components to reduce the sulfur background, ICP-MS using MS/MS with oxygen reaction cell gas can provide accurate low-level analysis of sulfur and sulfur isotope ratios in aqueous and organic matrices. This is useful in applications in life science, clinical research, pharmaceutical development, food safety, environmental monitoring, geochemistry, and petrochemistry.
Metallomics seeks to understand the metallobiochemistry of cells and organisms in health and disease. This article explains the principle of laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for imaging applications and highlights its potential to provide additional insights in bioanalysis and metallomics.
Multi-Quadrupole ICP-MS: Pushing Limits of Detection to the Next Decimal
September 1st 2020For a number of elements, spectroscopic interferences can have a significant impact on the ability to achieve low detection limits in ICP-MS. We investigate the mechanisms in multi-quadrupole ICP-MS that are designed to remove these interferences.
Single-Cell Analysis by ICP-MS—Current Status and Future Trends
July 1st 2020Single-cell analysis is important in biology and medicine, because it takes into account cell heterogeneity and cellular dynamics, which are governed by cellular crosstalk and the vicinity of cells. Thus, it is of utmost importance to obtain not only information about the heterogeneity of a cell population, but also about their spatial arrangement.