Direct determination of toxic trace metals in honey and sugars using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

A rapid method for the determination of Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Mn and Zn in honey and sugars without prior digestion or ashing of the sample was developed, using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The critical instrumental parameters such as sample flow rate and radio frequency incident power were thoroughly optimized. The effect of matrix type and its concentration was also examined for glucose/fructose, sucrose and honey matrices. The sensitivity was investigated using calibration curves obtained in presence of the above matrices. The obtained recoveries for Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni and Mn at the μg l⁻¹ level were satisfactory and practically independent of the matrix used for the calibration standards. The recoveries of Pb and Zn were less sufficient. Various commercial samples of honey, sugar, glucose and fructose were analyzed with respect to their toxic metal content. The method can be applied for routine analysis, quality and environmental pollution control purposes at the μg l⁻¹ level of concentration, after suitable dilution of the samples.     

Toxic and essential element concentrations in different honey types

The physicochemical parameters (free acidity, moisture content, sucrose content, hydroxymethylfurfural, reducing sugars, electrical conductivity, diastase activity and water-insoluble content), elements (Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni, Se, K, Na, Ca, Mg) and heavy metal/metalloid concentrations (Cd, Hg, Pb and As) of 84 honeys (linden, multifloral, honeydew and acacia) from Serbia, were analyzed using ICP-MS. Concerning the physicochemical parameters, all tested honeys were found to meet European Legislation (EC Directive 2001/110). Potassium was the major element, ranging between 943.9 ± 538.6 mg/kg and 2563 ± 1817 mg/kg. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the concentrations of Zn, Mn, Co and Na between the honeys. Selenium and Hg levels were below the limits of detection. Positive correlations were found between electrical conductivity and most of the elements. The present study showed that Serbian honey examined were of good quality according to its physicochemical parameters and met safety criteria concerning the concentrations of Cd, Hg, Pb and As.     

微波消解-ICP-OES法测定汽车涂料中8种重金属

建立微波消解-电感耦合等离子体发射光谱(ICP-OES)测定汽车涂料中Pb,Cr,Se,Ba,Sb,As,Cd,Hg含量的方法。以HNO_3-H_2O_2(体积比为4∶1)混合酸消解样品,各元素分析谱线:Pb 220.353 nm,Cr 267.716 nm,Se196.090 nm,Ba 233.527 nm,Sb 217.581 nm,As 189.042 nm,Cd 228.802 nm,Hg 184.950 nm。8种元素测定结果的相对标准偏差为2.02%~12.94%(n=6);对白色、蓝色、红色汽车漆样品进行加标回收试验,Pb,Cr,Se,Ba,As,Cd,Hg,的加标回收率为81.26%~99.79%,Sb的回收率为62.43%~87.61%。该方法快速、简便,精密度、准确度较高,可用于汽车涂料中重金属含量的监控。     

交互模式-电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)法测定生态地球化学植物样品中7种金属元素

植物样品中各元素的含量,是评价土壤质量及健康的重要指标。为满足测定大批量生态地球化学植物样品中多金属元素分析要求,建立了交互模式-ICP-MS法测定植物样品中7种痕量金属元素的定量分析方法。讨论了ICP-MS的STD、KED（He）、交互模式3种方法测定植物样品中7种金属元素结果。实验结果表明：利用工作曲线法配制Hg标准溶液,更改82Se在线校正方程系数为1.83,在ICP-MS的交互模式下测定植物样品中82Se,63Cu,60Ni,66Zn,111Cd,75As、202Hg可以得到准确可靠的结果,克服了植物样品中Se和Hg元素测定的难题。基于所建方法各元素校准曲线系数＞0.999;方法检出限为0.0004~0.08mg/kg;加标回收率在96.2%-107%之间;测定GBW10010a（大米）、GBW10012（玉米）、GBW10021（豆角）3种标准物质,结果均在参考值范围内,相对标准偏差RSD＜10%。该方法前处理简单、灵敏度高、准确度高、分析速度快,适用于生态地球化学评价植物样品多金属元素同时测定。为地球化学调查工作中分析测试植物样品中金属多元素的快速测定提供了新思路。     

Trace metal analyses in honey samples from selected countries. A potential use in bio-monitoring

Honey is a sweet product made by bees using nectar from flowers. Concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb and Cd were determined in 13 honey samples from the selected regions around the world. Levels of Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Potassium concentration was determined via flame photometry. Concentrations of Cd and Pb were determined using the electrothermal technique (ETAAS). It was estimated that the examined samples of honey from Greece, Turkey, Spain, Poland, Mexico, Argentina and Italy were of good quality in terms of metal concentrations (compliant with the norms referring to food products – WHO, Fifty-third Report of the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives; Technical Report Series 776, Geneva), although the analysed samples were not free of heavy metals. The concentrations of the elements in the honey samples ranged from 2.38 to 9.31 μg · g^?1 for Zn, from 3.86 to 35.10 μg · g^?1 for Fe, from 0.19 to 21.64 μg · g^?1 for Mn, from 49.53 to 1006.90 μg · g^?1 for Ca, from 388.25 to 4761.50 μg · g^?1 for K and from 0.20 to 1.53 μg · g^?1 for Cu and regarding heavy metals from 0.11 to 2.78 μg · g^?1 for Pb and from 0.02 to 0.44 μg · g^?1 for Cd. According to these results it was found that the concentrations of heavy metals in the honey samples (except for alfalfa honey and eucalyptus honey from Italy) were under the acceptable limits for foods set out by the FAO/WHO. It was confirmed that the application of chemometric tools supports the extraction of significant information from analytical data, even though the availability of samples is not fully sufficient (this problem is often encountered in environmental analyses).     

Determination of Hg,As, Pb,and Cd in Orchard Soils by Sequential Injection Vapor Generation Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

An analytical procedure was developed for determination of Hg, As, Pb, and Cd in soil samples using sequential injection vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (SI-VG-AFS) with sample preparation by microwave digestion system. The effects of analytical conditions on the fluorescence intensity were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized condition, the detection limits of the method were 5, 68, 40, and 3 ng L^?1 for Hg, As, Pb, and Cd, respectively. The accuracy of method was verified by the determination of the certified reference soil, and the recoveries for Hg, As, Pb, and Cd were in the range of 98.7–106.1%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to determine the heavy metals in navel orange orchard soils in Ganzhou, and the environmental quality of the orchard soils was assessed based on the content of the heavy metals. According to the second criterion of environmental quality standard for soils, Pb content in all soil samples collected from the orchards of 18 districts were within safe limits, but a few orchards were slightly contaminated with Hg, As, and Cd. Comparison of heavy metal mean concentrations with the safe limits of environmental quality standard for soils, the quality of Ganzhou navel orange orchard soils were in line with the request of the green food production base.     

Comparison of palladium-magnesium nitrate and ammonium dihydrogenphosphate modifiers for cadmium determination in honey samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The occurrence of certain trace elements, such as cadmium, in honey bee can be considered as an indication of environmental pollution. In the present work, two methods for Cd determination in honey by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, using palladium-magnesium nitrate and ammonium dihydrogenphosphate as chemical modifiers, have been developed. In none of these cases honey samples required pretreatment. Honey was diluted in water (20% w/v), and hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, and Triton X-100 were added to minimize the matrix effect. For the first method, 21.6 μg of palladium and 4.5 μg of magnesium were added as chemical modifier; for the second method, 60 μg of ammonium dihydrogenphosphate were employed. The limits of detection obtained were 0.32 ng g⁻¹ for ammonium dihydrogenphosphate method and 0.54 ng g⁻¹ for palladium-magnesium nitrate method. The characteristic mass was 0.7 and 1.0 pg for ammonium dihydrogenphosphate and palladium-magnesium nitrate methods, respectively. The relative standard deviation (<10%) and the analytical recovery (98-105%) were comparable in both methods. The optimised methods were applied to the determination of the cadmium content in unpolluted Galician honey samples. Cd has been detected the analysed samples in the range (n.d.—4.3 ng g⁻¹).     

Large scale synthesis of stable tricolor Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se core/multishell nanocrystals via a facile phosphine-free colloidal method

Here we report a new "green" method to synthesize Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se (x = 0-1) and stable red-green-blue tricolor Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se core/shell nanocrystals using only low cost, phosphine-free and environmentally friendly reagents. The first excitonic absorption peak and photoluminescence (PL) position of the Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se nanocrystals (the value of x is in the range 0.005-0.2) can be fixed to any position in the range 456-540 nm. There is no red or blue shift in the entire reaction process. Three similar sizes of alloyed Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se nanocrystals with blue, green, and yellow emissions were successfully selected as cores to synthesize high quality blue, green, and red core/shell nanocrystal emitters. For the synthesis of core/shell nanocrystals with a high quantum yield (QY) and stability, the selection of shell materials has been proven to be very important. Therefore, alternative protocols have been used to optimize thick shell growth. ZnSe/ZnSe(x)S(1-x) and CdS/Zn(1-x)Cd(x)S have been found as an excellent middle multishell to overcoat between the alloyed Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se core and ZnS outshell. The QYs of the as-synthesized core/shell alloyed Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se nanocrystals can reach 40-75%. The Cd content is reduced to less than 0.1% for Zn(1 -x)Cd(x)Se core/shell nanocrystals with emissions in the range 456-540 nm. More than 15 g of high quality Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se core/shell nanocrystals were prepared successfully in a large scale, one-pot reaction. Importantly, the emissions of such thick multishell nanocrystals are not susceptible to ligand loss and stability in various physiological conditions.     

Influence of Cd Content and Se Doping on the Formation of CdSe Nanocrystals in Silica Xerogels: A SAXS Study

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments were carried out to characterize the structure of the composite formed by CdSe nanocrystals embedded in a popous silica matrix (silica xerogels containing Cd with formamide addition and ultrasound treatment). SAXS results from samples before Se diffusion indicate the presence of heterogeneities with a bimodal size distribution which was associated to the existence of mesopores (pores of several hundred Å) immersed in a nanoporous matrix (characteristic pore radii of 20–30 Å). The diffusion of Se induces the nucleation and growth of CdSe nanocrystals. The average size of the nanocrystals increases with Cd content. Higher Se doses promote the formation of larger nanocrystals (radius of gyration of ∼30 to 50 Å). Anomalous scattering results confirm the existence of Se aggregation associated with CdSe nanocrystal formation and suggest that only partial segregation of Cd and Se occurs.     

Multielemental characterization of honey using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry fused with chemometrics

Honey is considered a desirable ingredient in a range of different foodstuffs because of its nutrient and therapeutic effect. The honey characteristics mainly depend on the type of vegetation visited by the bees and the climatic conditions in which the plants are growing. Therefore, the purity, floral and geographical origin and authenticity are important factors influencing the overall perception of honey and honey‐based products in terms of quality and price. An important parameter in this picture is the elemental composition of honey because it can be linked with the floral type of honey, floral plant density and the botanical origin of nectar and pollens. In this work, the concentration range variation of 18 elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, K, Pb, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) was investigated in four varieties of honey (linden, acacia, rape, and sunflower) originating from Romania, because the elemental profile of honey may give important information to differentiate its geographical and varietal origin for authenticity purpose. All the determinations were carried out by inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP‐Q‐MS). The most abundant minerals decreased in the following order: K > Ca > Mg > Na, having the mean values of 248.70, 59.97, 20.54 and 11.92 mg kg^?1, respectively. The mineral content marks the differences in honey samples from different botanical origin and can be used as a tool for authentication purposes and also extends its applicability to assess the traceability of honey. Analysis of variance showed the preliminary relationships between the elements and samples. Further, the discrimination between different studied honey samples was achieved by principal component analysis (PCA). The multivariate analysis of the data allowed us to separate the honey samples into distinct groups according to their macroelement and microelement composition, emphasizing the origin of variation of element concentrations by honey type. Therefore, this approach might be potentially useful for the control of honey quality, origin or authenticity, and even to use the honey as environmental tracer.     

ICP-AES analysis of metal content in shell of mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis from Croatian coastal waters

Metal content in samples of shell of mussel Mytilus galoprovincialis was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The efficiency of conversion of crude samples into solution by acid digestion in an open plate and in a microwave oven was examined by use of certified reference material of marine sediment and laboratory made standards of calcite and aragonite. Influence of high Ca content matrix on emission intensities of Al, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn was observed as depression of emission signal for most of the measuring elements, ranging from 0.8% to 8%. Greater values were noted at Ba and Ni emission lines. Enhancement of signals was observed for Na and Mg lines. The determination of As, Sb, Se and Sn was performed by HG/ICP-AES. The greater abundance of Sn was found in samples collected near the Al-processing industry centre. No detectable concentrations of As, Sb, and Se were found in shell samples. Results of ICP-AES metal analysis showed that samples collected near harbours, city waste or sewage outlets, and chemical industry centres indicate the certain level of contamination. It is shown that shell analysis provides useful data in determination of marine environment status.     

Honey as a candidate reference material for trace elements.

The feasibility of producing and certifying new certified reference materials (CRMs) for trace elements in honey was investigated. Preliminary steps for preparation of candidate materials are performed at the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (EC-JRC-IRMM). Two different types of honey, Acacia and Eucalyptus, were tested for determination of 10 trace elements. To each type of honey was added a given amount of high purity deionized water to obtain aqueous solutions with an acceptable degree of homogeneity which would require only minimal manipulation before analysis. Average values obtained for the trace elements by means of inductively coupled plasma-based techniques were as follows (in microg/ kg +/- SD): Acacia honey, As, 1.10+/-0.20; Cd, 0.328+/-0.035; Cr, 1.90+/-0.22; Cu, 67.0+/-5; Fe, 215+/-30; Hg, < 0.75; Mn, 82.1+/-6.2; Ni, 21.0 3.0; Pb, 2.30+/-0.25; Se, 9.10+/-1.2; Zn, 167+/-22; Eucalyptus honey, As, 5.99+/-0.10; Cd, 0.592+/-0.074; Cr, 1.50+/-0.07; Cu, 219 24; Fe, 1008+/-114; Hg, <0.75; Mn, 1009+/-51; Ni, 11.3+/-1.5; Pb, 5.00+/-0.40; Se, 5.60+/-0.91; Zn, 791+/-91. When these 2 pilot materials are ready, the certification project will be launched in full compliance with current rules set by EC-JRC-IRMM. If the project is successful, the new CRMs will be put primarily at the disposal of the National Reference Laboratories for trace elements.     

煤中Se、Cd在焦化过程中迁移规律的研究

利用现代分析测定仪器和实验室模拟手段,以煤及固相(焦炭)、液相焦化产物(焦油、氨水)、气相焦化产物(煤气)中有害微量元素镉(Cd)、硒(Se)为研究对象。通过测定,比较不同煤化度煤种微量元素的含量,并归纳探讨了配合煤中Cd、Se元素在焦化过程中的迁移规律。发现煤化度不同的煤中,镉元素随着煤变质程度升高而减少;硒元素含量对比:QFFM,JM和SM中含量相差不大。在模拟焦化温度1 000℃环境下,分别有45%的硒和48%的镉元素转移到焦炭中,2%的硒和7%的镉转移到氨水中,12%的硒和15%的镉转移到焦油中,并通过物料衡算,发现有41%的硒和30%的镉释放到煤气中。     

Use of the diffusive gradients in thin films technique (DGT) with various diffusive gels for characterization of sewage sludge-contaminated soils

The diffusive gradients in thin film technique (DGT) was used for characterization of South Moravian arable soils (sampling sites Zlín, Tuřany, and Chrlice) amended by sewage sludge in the 1980s. Two types of polyacrylamide diffusive gel with different pore size (APA gels—cross-linked with agarose and RG gels—cross-linked with bis-acrylamide) were employed. The (bio)available parts of Cd, Cu, and Ni and the proportions of inorganically and organically complexed species of these metals were assessed. The degree of metal resupply from the soil solid phase to the soil solution was also determined. Metal concentrations obtained by the DGT technique were lower by almost 4 to 5 orders of magnitude in comparison with those obtained by extraction with aqua regia. DGT concentrations of metals were also lower by approximately 1 to 2 orders of magnitude in comparison with those obtained by extraction with sodium nitrate (commonly used for assessment of the (bio)available part of metals). Results obtained by DGT measurement were expected to be closer to the actual content of available metal species than results obtained by extraction with sodium nitrate. Using RG gels together with APA gels provided resolution of inorganically and organically complexed metal species and their proportional representation. Inorganic metal species (particles smaller than 1 nm) formed a predominant part of assessed metal content in all studied soil samples and horizons. However, there was the exception of the cadmium content in the middle profile of Chrlice sandy soil sample. Ratio R values indicated that resupply of Cd, Cu, and Ni from the solid phase to the soil solution varied for individual soil samples and individual depth profiles. Mobile and labile species of Cd, Cu, and Ni were much more closely related to upper rather than deeper horizons. This observation correlates very well with the mechanical treatment and amendment of the studied soils.     

青海达坂山地区高山植物中重金属元素分布特征

分析了青海达坂山地区16种高山植物重金属元素含量。结果表明，9种重金属元素中Cr、Ni、CO3种含量高于陆生植物的正常含量值；Hg含量极少，在检测限以下；其余5种含量正常；同种元素含量种间差异不大，不同植物对于同种元素的累积比较均一，各种植物对As、Se、Sb3种元素的富集能力高于其它元素；植物中CO与Cr、Sb；Pb与Cd之间有很好的协同作用，而Se与Co、Cd、Sb有明显的拈抗作用。相关分析的结果表明，植物对重金属元素的吸收受土壤元素含量的影响。     

Determination of trace elements in coal and coal fly ash by joint-use of ICP-AES and atomic absorption spectrometry

Microwave-acid digestion (MW-AD) followed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) were examined for the determination of various elements in coal and coal fly ash (CFA). Eight certified reference materials (four coal samples and four CFA samples) were tested. The 10 elements (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Se), which are described in the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA), were especially considered. For coal, the HF-free MW-AD followed by ICP-AES was successful in the determination of various elements except for As, Be, Cd, Sb, and Se. These elements (except for Sb) were well-determined by use of GFAAS (Be and Cd) and HGAAS (As and Se). For CFA, the addition of HF in the digestion acid mixture was needed for the determination of elements, except for As, Sb, and Se, for which the HF-free MW-AD was applicable. The use of GFAAS (Be and Cd) or HGAAS (Sb and Se) resulted in the successful determination of the elements for which ICP-AES did not work well. The protocol for the determination of the 10 elements in coal and CFA by MW-AD followed by the joint-use of ICP-AES, GFAAS, and HGAAS was established.     

Application of Short Sequential Extraction Procedure（SSEP） for the Determination of Zn, Cu, and Cd Contents in Riverbed Sludge in Hejiagou, Harbin, China

IntroductionThe environment is contaminated by high concen-trations of metals from different sources such as conta-minated soils[1—10], sediments[11—15], and sewage orindustrial sludge[16—20]. However, there has been noreport on the determination of he…     

Rapid honey characterization and botanical classification by an electronic tongue

In this paper a commercial electronic tongue (αAstree, Alpha M.O.S.) was applied for botanical classification and physicochemical characterization of honey samples. The electronic tongue was comprised of seven potentiometric sensors coupled with an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Botanical classification was performed by PCA, CCA and ANN modeling on 12 samples of acacia, chestnut and honeydew honey. The physicochemical characterization of honey was obtained by ANN modeling and the parameters included were electrical conductivity, acidity, water content, invert sugar and total sugar. The initial reference values for the physicochemical parameters observed were determined by traditional methods. Botanical classification of honey samples obtained by ANN was 100% accurate while the highest correlation between observed and predicted values was obtained for electrical conductivity (0.999), followed by acidity (0.997), water content (0.994), invert sugar content (0.988) and total sugar content (0.979).All developed ANN models for rapid honey characterization and botanical classification performed excellently showing the potential of the electronic tongue as a tool in rapid honey analysis and characterization. The advantage of using such a technique is a simple sample preparation procedure, there are no chemicals involved and there are no additional costs except the initial measurements required for ANN model development.     

Characterization of Polish rape and honeydew honey according to their mineral contents using ICP-MS and F-AAS/AES

In this work twelve elements (Al, B, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni and Zn) were determined in 30 honey samples from various locations within Poland and in two different types of honey--rape and honeydew. Trace elements (Al, B, Cr, Mn and Ni) were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), however, major elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na) and Cu, Fe, Zn were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (F-AAS). Cluster analysis of honey data revealed that the origin of honey samples correlated with their chemical composition. It was shown that rape honey includes lower amounts of manganese than honeydew honeys. Also honeydew honey includes much higher concentrations of Al, Cu, K, Fe and Ni in comparison with rape honey. Moreover honeydew honey was found to have a higher mineral content, which reflects sources from which the honey is composed. Trace element analysis showed that the differences in the values found in honey samples could be used as evidence of the quality of honey samples.