Issue 10, 2022

Sensitive online speciation analysis of arsenic in biological samples by ambient mass spectrometry

Abstract

As a redox-sensitive and multi-species trace element, the chemical behavior of arsenic in various biological sources was closely related to human health. Direct and sensitive speciation analysis of arsenic from complex matrices is ideally required since it enables obtaining multidimensional information concerning arsenic concentration, existing forms, redox states and molecular structures without sample pretreatment. Herein, an online speciation analysis method allowing molecular characterization of both inorganic (As(III), As(V)) and organic arsenic species (MMA, DMA, AsB and AsC) at trace levels from original bio-matrices (e.g. crayfish, laver and kelp) was developed based on ambient ionization mass spectrometry, namely extraction electrospray ionization-hydride generation-microwave plasma torch-mass spectrometry (EESI-HG-MPT-MS). The novel ambient ionization source of MPT was combined with a hydride generator, resulting in a unique mass spectrum behavior for As. By using a home-made sample introduction device and incorporating a HG-MPT, the sensitivity of analytes and matrix tolerance were significantly improved. The detection limits of As(III), As(V), MMA, DMA, AsB and AsC were 0.01, 0.02, 0.08, 0.08, 0.05 and 0.02 μg kg−1 respectively. An online spike experiment was also conducted, showing a recovery of 94–111%, with an RSD less than 10%. The developed method may play a role in studying the chemical or biological behaviors of arsenic in various environments.

Graphical abstract: Sensitive online speciation analysis of arsenic in biological samples by ambient mass spectrometry

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 Mar 2022
Accepted
12 Sep 2022
First published
14 Sep 2022

J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2022,37, 2103-2110

Sensitive online speciation analysis of arsenic in biological samples by ambient mass spectrometry

D. Wu, D. Li, L. Dong, G. Li, L. Wang, Z. Tang, Md. M. Rahman and S. Yang, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2022, 37, 2103 DOI: 10.1039/D2JA00075J

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements