An overview of preconcentration techniques combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for trace element determination in biological studies

Abstract

In the last decades, the determination of trace elements in biological materials has emerged as an important area of study because of its relevance to human health and the environment. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has proven to be a powerful tool for trace element analysis, owing to its high sensitivity and ability to determine several elements in a single measurement. However, given the complex nature of biological matrices and the presence of elements, most of them at ultratrace levels, it becomes crucial to complement ICP-MS with preconcentration techniques to increase the sensitivity and selectivity of analytical methods. This article presents an exhaustive overview of liquid- and solid-phase preconcentration techniques used in combination with ICP-MS for trace element determination in different biological samples from 2000 to the present. An in-depth discussion of the advances on the application of state-of-the-art solvents and materials in trace element extraction and preconcentration is presented. Special attention is given to different strategies for elemental speciation analysis, employing both chromatographic and non-chromatographic techniques. The role of automation in these methodologies is also described. Finally, future trends and challenges related to this topic are discussed.

Keywords: Automatization; Biological material; Chromatography; Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; Preconcentration; Trace element.