Optimized simultaneous determination of several elements in human intestinal Caco-2 TC7 cells by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after closed vessel microwave digestion

A rapid procedure, based on closed vessels microwave digestion and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), was evaluated to ascertain the effect of chronic exposure to cadmium on intracellular accumulation of minor and essential trace elements in cultured epithelial cells (Caco-2 TC7). For all measurements, the method of external calibration was used and 3 elements (Be, Sc, In) were selected as internal standards. Optimization procedures are discussed and results are presented for the total determination of 9 key analytes (Na, Mg, Ca, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo, and Cd) in certified reference materials (CRMs) and 20 samples of Caco-2 TC7 cells long-term exposed to Cd. The performance characteristics of the analytical system were evaluated by calibration and linearity, limits of detection and quantitation, accuracy with spiking, trueness and repeatability with available CRMs. As a complement to the ICP-MS determinations, both available CRMs and cell samples were analyzed either by electro thermal- or flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results were in good agreement with the ICP-MS results.