Atomic spectrometry methods for wine analysis: a critical evaluation and discussion of recent applications

The analysis of wine is of great importance since wine components strongly determine its stability, organoleptic or nutrition characteristics. In addition, wine analysis is also important to prevent fraud and to assess toxicological issues. Among the different analytical techniques described in the literature, atomic spectrometry has been traditionally employed for elemental wine analysis due to its simplicity and good analytical figures of merit. The scope of this review is to summarize the main advantages and drawbacks of various atomic spectrometry techniques for elemental wine analysis. Special attention is paid to interferences (i.e. matrix effects) affecting the analysis as well as the strategies available to mitigate them. Finally, latest studies about wine speciation are briefly discussed.     

Electrothermal vaporization of mineral acid solutions in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: comparison with sample nebulization

The analytical behaviour of an electrothermal vaporization (ETV) device for the introduction of mineral acid solutions in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was evaluated. Water, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, perchloric acid and sulphuric acid in concentrations within the 0.05–1.0 mol l⁻¹ range were studied. For all the acids tested, increasing the acid concentration increases the ion signal and deteriorates the precision. The magnitude of the signal enhancement depends on the analyte and on the acid considered. Acid solutions give rise to ion signals that are between 2 and 10 times higher than those with water. Among the acids tested, sulphuric acid provides the highest signals. The addition of palladium reduces matrix effects due to the acids and increases the signal in ETV ICP-MS. In comparison with conventional sample nebulization (CS), the ETV sample introduction system provides higher sensitivities (between 2 and 20 times higher) at the same acid concentration. The magnitude of this improvement is similar to that obtained with a microwave desolvation system (MWDS). The ETV sample introduction system gives rise to the lowest background signals from matrix-induced species. Due to this fact, the limits of detection (LODs) obtained for the isotopes affected by any interference are lower for ETV sample introduction than those obtained with the CS and the MWDS. For the isotopes that do not suffer from matrix-induced spectral interferences, the ETV gives rise to LODs higher than those obtained with the CS. For these isotopes the lowest LODs are obtained with MWDS.     

Alcohol and metal determination in alcoholic beverages through high-temperature liquid-chromatography coupled to an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer

In the present work, an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) system was used as a high temperature liquid chromatography (HTLC) detector for the determination of alcohols and metals in beverages. For the sake of comparison, a refractive index (RI) detector was also employed for the first time to detect alcohols with HTLC. The organic compounds studied were methanol, ethanol, propan-1-ol and butan-1-ol (in the 10-125 mg/L concentration range) and the elements tested were magnesium, aluminum, copper, manganese and barium at concentrations included between roughly 0.01 and 80 mg/L. Column heating temperatures ranged from 80 to 175 °C and the optimum ones in terms of peak resolution, sensitivity and column lifetime were 125 and 100 °C for the HTLC-RI and HTLC-ICP-AES couplings, respectively. The HTLC-ICP-AES interface design (i.e., spray chamber design and nebulizer type used) was studied and it was found that a single pass spray chamber provided about 2 times higher sensitivities than a cyclonic conventional design. Comparatively speaking, limits of detection for alcohols were of the same order for the two evaluated detection systems (from 5 to 25 mg/L). In contrast, unlike RI, ICP-AES provided information about the content of both organic and inorganic species. Furthermore, temperature programming was applied to shorten the analysis time and it was verified that ICP-AES was less sensitive to temperature changes and modifications in the analyte chemical nature than the RI detector. Both detectors were successfully applied to the determination of short chain alcohols in several beverages such as muscatel, pacharan, punch, vermouth and two different brands of whiskeys (from 10 to 40 g of ethanol/100 g of sample). The results of the inorganic elements studied by HTLC-ICP-AES were compared with those obtained using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) obtaining good agreement between them. Recoveries found for spiked samples were close to 100% for both, inorganic elements (with both HLTC-ICP-AES and ICP-MS) and alcohols (with both HTLC-ICP-AES and HTLC-RI hyphenations).     

Determination of Heavy Metals in Soils, Sediments and Geological Materials by ICP-AES and ICP-MS

 Sixteen soil and sedimentary geological reference materials were analysed for As and the heavy metals Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in combination with total and partial dissolution of the samples. It can be demonstrated that none of the modern ICP methods is completely free from analytical problems. This applies in particular when the concentrations are close to the detection limits (e.g. in ICP-AES) and is mainly due to the wide variation in the bulk composition of soils resulting in complex matrix effects (e.g. in ICP-MS). In order to determine the extent of soil pollution by heavy metals, both partial and total dissolution have to be performed prior to analysis.     

Preconcentration of platinum group metals on modified silicagel and their determination by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in airborne particulates

Modified silicagel (C18) was studied for separation and preconcentration of platinum group metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir and Pt) as ion associates of their chlorocomplexes with cation of onium salt N(1-carbaethoxypentadecyl)-trimethyl ammonium bromide. Sample containing HCl and the onium salt was pumped through the column. After elution with ethanol the eluate was evaporated in the presence of HCl. Resulting aqueous solutions were analysed with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Recovery values of 1-20 mug Pt and Pd from 50 ml of synthetic pure solution were 100+/-3 and 100+/-1%, respectively, however, they diminished with increasing sample volume and in the presence of the real sample matrix or nitrate ions. Samples of engine soot (NIES No. 8), decomposed by low pressure oxygen high-frequency plasma, and airborne particulates from dust filters of meteorological stations, leached with HNO(3) and H(2)O(2), were analysed. A reasonable agreement was found between ICP-MS and ICP-AES results for airborne dust samples and the values comparable with those in literature were determined in NIES No. 8.     

Trends in sorption preconcentration combined with noble metal determination.

Nowadays much attention is being paid to the determination of trace amounts of noble metals in geological, industrial, biological and environmental samples. The most promising techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) are characterized by high sensitivity. However, the accurate determination of trace noble metals has been limited by numerous interferences generated from the presence of matrix elements. To decrease, or eliminate, these interferences, the sorption preconcentration of noble metals is often used prior to their instrumental detection. A great number of hyphenated methods of noble metal determination using sorption preconcentration have been developed. This review describes the basic types of available sorbents, preconcentration procedures and preparations of the sorbent to the subsequent determination of noble metals. The specific features of instrumental techniques and examples of ETAAS, FAAS, ICP-AES, ICP-MS determinations after the sorption preconcentration of noble metals are considered. The references cited here were selected mostly from the period 1996 - 2006.     

On-line coupling of ion chromatography and atomic spectrometry and use of direct graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry as new tools for ultra trace determinations in refractory metals

On-line coupling of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) techniques such as ICP-AES and ICP-MS with ion chromatography (IC) offers unique features for ultra-trace analysis. An on-line preconcentration procedure based on cation exchange enables sub-ng/g analysis in complex matrices like molybdenum and tungsten. The best dissolution reagent for these matrices is hydrogen peroxide, which can be cleaned to ultra high purity with the same metal free chromatography equipment used for the preconcentration. Preconcentration is possible for elements that show cationic reactions within acidic peroxide containing solutions. In this study 28 elements detrimental for microelectronics applications are observed. A comparison of the combinations IC-ICP-AES and IC-ICP-MS with glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS) for the analysis of today's purest tungsten samples shows the analytical power and accuracy of the coupled devices. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) as an extremely sensitive analytical technique is applied with and without the same sample pretreatment as used for the on-line coupling. Direct GFAAS measurements of alkali metals are complementary to IC-ICP techniques. The data evaluated with these wet chemical techniques are compared to the usual manufacturers characterisation technique GDMS. With respect to the low concentrations present in these high purity materials (ng/g level in the solid) the discrepancies between all methods are acceptable. The sensitivity of IC-ICP-MS is in most cases far superior to IC-ICP-AES and for some elements also to GDMS. Furthermore the specific advantages of on-line coupling such as the elimination of isobaric interferences in ICP-MS or spectral interferences in ICP-AES are shown for ICP-AES and ICP-MS determinations.     

Uranium determination using atomic spectrometric techniques: An overview

This review focuses on the determination of uranium using spectroanalytical techniques that are aimed at total determination such as flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES); and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) that also enables the determination of uranium isotopes. The advantages and shortcomings related to interferences, precision, accuracy, sample type and equipment employed in the analysis are taken into account, as well as the complexity and costs (i.e., acquisition, operation and maintenance) associated with each of the techniques. Strategies to improve their performance that employ separation and/or preconcentration steps are considered, with an emphasis given to solid-phase extraction because of its advantages compared to other preconcentration procedures.     

On the possibilities of ICP-AES for analysis of archaeological bones

The possibility of using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) to determine the elemental composition of archaeological bones elements was evaluated and discussed. The interferences of the major elements (Ca, P, K, Na, Al and Fe) on the microelements (Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Zn) were investigated and the appropriate analytical lines were selected. The role of different nebulizers (cross-flow, Babington and Meinhard) on detection limits were investigated. The applicability of the proposed procedure was demonstrated analyzing IAEA-SRM-H-5 (Animal bone); and authentic bone sample dating back to the 4^th century BC. These results were compared to ETAAS and ICP-MS.     

Determination of trace elements in petroleum products by inductively coupled plasma techniques: A critical review

The fundamentals, applications and latter developments of petroleum products analysis through inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are revisited in the present bibliographic survey. Sample preparation procedures for the direct analysis of fuels by using liquid sample introduction systems are critically reviewed and compared. The most employed methods are sample dilution, emulsion or micro-emulsion preparation and sample decomposition. The first one is the most widely employed due to its simplicity. Once the sample has been prepared, an organic matrix is usually present. The performance of the sample introduction system (i.e., nebulizer and spray chamber) depends strongly upon the nature and properties of the solution finally obtained. Many different devices have been assayed and the obtained results are shown. Additionally, samples can be introduced into the plasma by using an electrothermal vaporization (ETV) device or a laser ablation system (LA). The recent results published in the literature showing the feasibility, advantages and drawbacks of latter alternatives are also described. Therefore, the main goal of the review is the discussion of the different approaches developed for the analysis of crude oil and its derivates by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) techniques.     

A comparison of INAA and ICP-MS/ICP-AES methods for the analysis of meteorite samples

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and ICP mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (hereafter, ICPs) were applied to meteorite samples for the determination of elemental content. The analytical applicability and suitability of the three methods have been compared. Those comparisons led to the refinement of our analytical procedures for INAA and ICPs, yielding more reliable data. Our INAA data proved to be reliable enough for classifying meteorites, while the ICPs, especially ICP-MS, can characterize elemental abundance features in detail, as demonstrated by REE abundance patterns for the Allende meteorite. In this manner, INAA and ICPs can be used in a complementary fashion in cosmochemical studies.     

Determination of metals in biofluids and tissues: sample preparation methods for atomic spectroscopic techniques

Several sample preparation methods unique to each instrumental technique exist for the elemental analysis of biological specimens, but no review or book has dealt with them. The present review is an attempt to fill this void and focuses on sample preparation methods unique to atomic and X-ray spectroscopic techniques. The techniques covered are: flame and electrothermal AAS, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) since these are most commonly used in trace element analysis of biological materials. The intent is not to present the procedural details for the various tissues or elements, but rather to highlight the methods which are unique to each instrument. The bibliography accompanying this review should aid the analytical chemist in his/her search for the detailed preparation protocols.     

Development of multi-elemental method for quality control of parenteral component solutions using ICP-MS

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for elemental impurities determination in components used for parenteral nutrition solutions is proposed. Solutions of amino acids (10% m/v), glucose (50% m/v) and lipids (20% m/v) were analyzed. Arsenic, Cd, Cu, Pb and Mo were determined by ICP-MS operated at standard mode, whilst pneumatic nebulization was used for introducing the sample solution into the ICP. Mercury was determined using cold vapor generation (CVG) coupled to ICP-MS. Chromium, Mn, Ni and V were determined by means of dynamic reaction cell-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS), while ammonia was used as reaction gas. The operational conditions of each technique were optimized in order to achieve better sensitivity, precision and accuracy. The influence of the sample matrix, mainly carbon, on all investigated elements was evaluated. The use of DRC was effective to reduce interferences on Cr, Mn, Ni and V determination. The other investigated elements (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mo and Hg) were determined directly in the samples, which were properly diluted. Results obtained were in good agreement (between 96 and 103%) with certified values (certified reference materials of water were analyzed), at the same time as the relative standard deviation was lower than 5%. Sample throughput was relatively high (up to 30 samples of components used for parenteral nutrition solution could be analyzed per hour). In this way, the proposed method can be recommended for routine analysis.     

Analysis of germanium and germanium dioxide samples by mass-spectrometry and atomic emission spectroscopy

Three multielement methods: (1) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), (2) inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and (3) spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS) were used for the determination of additives in the samples of germanium and germanium oxide. The detection limits of direct SSMS and ICP-AES/ICP-MS were compared using the autoclave predissolution of germanium and germanium dioxide samples. It was shown that in the latter case, the detection limits could be significantly improved by the separation of germanium from analytes by distillation. In this case, the detection limits of such limiting elements like Th and U can reach the level n 10^?10 wt %.     

Comparison of standard and reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the determination of chromium and selenium species by HPLC-ICP-MS

Elemental speciation is becoming a common analytical procedure for geochemical investigations. The various redox species of environmentally relevant metals can have vastly different biogeochemical properties, including sorption, solubility, bioavailability, and toxicity. The use of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to elemental specific detectors, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), has become one of the most important speciation methods employed. This is due to the separation versatility of HPLC and the sensitive and selective detection capabilities of ICP-MS. The current study compares standard mode ICP-MS to recently developed reaction cell (RC) ICP-MS, which has the ability to remove or reduce many common polyatomic interferences that can limit the ability of ICP-MS to quantitate certain analytes in complex matrices. Determination of chromium and selenium redox species is achieved using ion-exchange chromatography with elemental detection by standard and RC-ICP-MS, using various chromium and selenium isotopes. In this study, method performance and detection limits for the various permutations of the method (isotope monitored or ICP-MS detection mode) were found to be comparable and generally less than 1 μg L⁻¹. The method was tested on synthetic laboratory samples, surface water, groundwater, and municipal tap water matrices.     

Elemental labelling combined with liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for quantification of biomolecules: A review

This article reviews novel quantification concepts where elemental labelling is combined with flow injection inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (FI-ICP-MS) or liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC–ICP-MS), and employed for quantification of biomolecules such as proteins, peptides and related molecules in challenging sample matrices. In the first sections an overview on general aspects of biomolecule quantification, as well as of labelling will be presented emphasizing the potential, which lies in such methodological approaches. In this context, ICP-MS as detector provides high sensitivity, selectivity and robustness in biological samples and offers the capability for multiplexing and isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). Fundamental methodology of elemental labelling will be highlighted and analytical, as well as biomedical applications will be presented. A special focus will lie on established applications underlining benefits and bottlenecks of such approaches for the implementation in real life analysis. Key research made in this field will be summarized and a perspective for future developments including sophisticated and innovative applications will given.     

Spectral Interferences of Rare Earth Elements in ICP-AES with a High Resolution Sequential Spectrometer-Spectral Interferences of Eu and Gd on Other Rare Earth Elements

The important function and status of the rare earth elements are well known. Being a powerful tool for elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) has been extensively applied in the purity analysis of REEs due to its high performance. However, the spectral interferences are the major obstacle in the analysis of REEs because of the rich spectral lines of REEs. In spite of many reports about the spectral interferences of REEs, all-inclusive information is not enough to satisfy the needs of the analysis of REEs.     

Multielement analytical procedure coupling INAA, ICP-MS and ICP-AES: Application to the determination of major and trace elements in sediment samples of the Bouregreg river (Morocco)

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) were used for the determination of major and trace elements in sediment samples of the Bouregreg river (Morocco). The reliability of the results was checked, by using IAEA Soil-7 certified reference material. Results obtained by the three techniques were compared to control digestions efficiencies. A general good agreement was found between INAA and both ICP-MS and ICP-AES after alkaline fusion (ICPf). The ICP-MS technique used after acid attack (ICPa) was satisfactory for a few elements. A principal component analysis (PCA) has been used for analyzing the variability of concentrations, and defining the most influential sites with respect to the general variation trends. Three groups of elements could be distinguished. For these groups a normalization of concentrations to the central element concentration (that means Mn, Si or Al) is proposed.     

电感耦合等离子体质谱中的基质效应

电感耦合等离子体质谱(Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry,ICP-MS)是痕量元素分析中最常用的检测技术,尽管ICP-MS在元素分析中表现出诸多优势,但其在检测复杂基质样品时,仍会遇到许多问题。复杂基质所引起的基质效应通常会导致分析物信号的抑制或者增强。基质效应影响程度取决于基质成分的绝对浓度,还与基质的种类、分析物的物理和化学性质以及仪器条件有关。该文介绍了ICP-MS中几种常见的基质效应及其影响因素,包括元素基质、含碳基质、酸基质和仪器条件等,探究了基质效应产生的可能原因,对国内外去除基质效应的方法,如样品前处理方法、样品引入系统、优化仪器参数和校准法等进行了系统的归纳和总结,并对基质效应的研究进行了展望。     

Developed Method for Spectroscopic Studies of Viscous Samples

Abstract

In this work, the trace elements in phosphoric acid, which has been considered an example of the proposed viscous sample, were measured accurately by a developed method. Samples were diluted to decrease matrix and background interferences. Quantitative analysis of As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Na, Pb, and Zn were carried out using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). A comparison with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) proves the validity of the developed method. The change of the electronic transition due to diluted of the viscous samples was demonstrated using UV-VIS spectroscopy.