HANDBOOK OF HYPHENATED ICP-MS APPLICATIONS - 2nd Edition

Význam tématu

Speciation analysis – the determination of chemical forms of elements – provides critical information beyond total element concentrations, revealing bioavailability, toxicity, and environmental cycling. Hyphenated techniques, especially those coupling separation methods (e.g., GC, HPLC, CE, FFF) with ICP-MS detection, have become indispensable for accessing speciation data at trace levels. Such approaches inform biological activity of metalloproteins, the fate of pollutants, and quality control in food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial processes.

Cíle a přehled studie / článku

This handbook compiles proven hyphenated ICP-MS methodologies for elemental speciation across diverse matrices. It covers coupling ICP-MS with chromatographic separations (GC, HPLC, IC, CE), field-flow fractionation, and multi-MS (organic MS). Each section overviews the technique, presents representative applications, and provides troubleshooting guidance to facilitate method transfer to routine and research laboratories.

Použitá metodika a instrumentace

Primary methods described include:

• HPLC-ICP-MS: Elemental detection after liquid chromatographic separation for speciation of arsenic, selenium, mercury, chromium, phosphorus, and biothiols.
• GC-ICP-MS: Volatile organometallic analysis by gas chromatography with ICP-MS, applied to organotin compounds, PBDE flame retardants, sulfur in fuels, and arsines.
• CE-ICP-MS: Capillary electrophoresis coupled to ICP-MS for high-efficiency separation of metalloproteins and arsenic species.
• FFF-ICP-MS: Field-flow fractionation techniques for size-resolved elemental analysis of nanoparticles, colloids, and proteins.
• Multi-MS Approaches: Parallel use of ICP-MS and organic MS (ESI-MS, TOF-MS) for simultaneous elemental quantification and molecular identification.

Hlavní výsledky a diskuse

The handbook demonstrates:

• Sensitive, interference-free speciation of arsenic in rice, rice paddy soils, and marine samples using HPLC-ICP-MS and chemotrapping.
• Determination of inorganic As, Cr(VI), and Se species in food, water, and supplements with low-ppb detection limits.
• Simultaneous GC-ICP-MS and GC-ESI-MS methods for organometallics in complex matrices, including volatile arsines and organotins in environmental and biological samples.
• AF4 and other FFF methods coupled to ICP-MS for size-resolved metal analysis in natural waters and nanoparticle characterization.
• Multi-MS workflows enabling discovery of novel biothiol and lipid arsenic species in plants and oils, through parallel ICP-MS and ESI-MS.

Přínosy a praktické využití metody

Hyphenated ICP-MS approaches provide:

• Element-specific, multi-isotope sensitivity at sub-ppt levels.
• Capability for compound-independent calibration and isotope-dilution quantification to overcome lack of standards.
• Versatility to handle a wide range of separation chemistries and detection of multiple elements in one run.
• Practical tools for environmental monitoring, food and water safety, pharmaceutical QC, and toxicological research.
• Troubleshooting guidance for successful routine implementation.

Budoucí trendy a možnosti využití

Future developments will focus on:

• Integrated micro- and nano-LC/GC systems with high-strength organic solvent compatibility for robust speciation.
• Advances in collision/reaction cell technology for improved interference removal and trace detection of challenging elements (S, P, Se, C).
• Expanded multi-MS coupling with high-resolution accurate-mass instruments for de novo structural elucidation of unknown species.
• Miniaturization and automation of hyphenated flows for in-field and high-throughput applications.
• New sample-preparation techniques, such as SPME and microextraction, to enable direct analysis of complex matrices.

Závěr

Hyphenated ICP-MS methodologies have matured into essential tools for elemental speciation across a broad spectrum of applications. Their combination of sensitivity, selectivity, and multi-element capability makes them ideal for research and routine analysis in environmental, food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical fields. Ongoing innovations in separation, detection, and data analysis will further expand their reach and impact.

Reference

1. Roos-Barraclough, F. et al. Hyphenated techniques in atomic spectrometry. J. Anal. At. Spectrom. (2008).
2. Feldmann, J. & Krupp, E. M. Metal-specific detection strategies. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. (2009).
3. Rudisill, S. et al. Multi-element inorganic speciation by FFF-ICP-MS. J. Sep. Sci. (2006).