Multielemental trace analysis of biological materials using double focusing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection

The analytical potential of double focusing-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (DF-ICP-MS) for total elemental analysis in clinical samples (serum, blood, urine and other biological fluids), tissues and food products is illustrated by reviewing typical applications recently published. Also, the use of DF-ICP-MS as specific detector for trace element speciation in biological samples is discussed. After adequate separation of interferences in the chromatographic column, low resolution measurements (R = 300) can be used to provide enhanced sensitivities of more than 100 times compared with quadrupole-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS). This capability is extremely valuable in speciation studies. Also, the use of DF-ICP-MS at low resolution could provide very precise isotope ratio measurements for isotope dilution analysis due to the 'flat topped' peaks obtained at this resolution. Unfortunately, the literature on these last two issues is rather scarce so far, in spite of their extremely high analytical possibilities for biological research. Moreover, the bright future of DF-ICP-MS as a most powerful multielemental detector for trace element applications in biological systems will be highlighted. Apart from applications detailed above other important application fields can be envisaged. In particular, we will speculate on its possible use to confirm/establish 'reference values' of trace element content in 'normal' populations and so to help to diagnose health and disease status, related with trace element total content or their speciation in clinical specimens. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.