Determination of trace elements in biological samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with tetramethylammonium hydroxide solubilization at room temperature

A simple method for sample preparation of biological samples for trace elements determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is described. Prior to analysis, 75 mg of the biological samples were accurately weighed into (15 mL) conical tubes. Then, 1 mL of 50% (v/v) tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution was added to the samples, incubated at room temperature for 12 h and the volume made up to 10 mL with a solution containing 0.5% (v/v) HNO3, 0.01% (v/v) Triton® X-100 and 10 μg L−1 of Rh. After preparation samples may be stored at −20 °C during 3 days until the analysis by ICP-MS. With these conditions, the use of the dynamic reaction cell was only mandatory for chromium determination. Method detection limits were 0.2145, 0.0020, 0.0051, 0.0017, 0.0027, 0.0189, 0.02, 0.5, 0.1, 0.0030, 0.0043, 0.0066, 0.0009, 0.020, 0.0043, 0.1794, 0.1 μg g−1 for Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, V and Zn, respectively. Validation data are provided based on the analysis of six certified reference materials (CRMs) purchased from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and National Research Council Canada (NRCC). Additional validation was provided by the analysis of brain, kidney, liver and heart samples collected from rats and analyzed by the proposed method and by using microwave digestion.