Determination of carbon in digested samples and amino acids by inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry

•The ICP-MS/MS was shown as a suitable and promising tool for C determination.•Adequate precision and accuracy were observed on 12C+ and 12C16O+ determinations.•Carbon and S were simultaneously determined in amino acids and peptides.

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer with a triple quadrupole (ICP-MS/MS) was employed to determine carbon from different sources such as plant digests, amino acids and peptides. Adequate precision, accuracy and sensitivity were obtained when using either single quadrupole or mass shift mode. Recoveries for carbon determination in plant digests ranged from 96 to 100%. Limits of detection were 0.42 and 0.17 mg L− 1 for 12C+ and 12C16O+, respectively, with calibration curves generated by using solutions prepared with oxalic acid. The determination of carbon and sulfur in amino acids and peptides showed that accuracy was better when measuring in O2 reaction mode. Additionally, C and S were simultaneously determined in cystine and glutathione by ICP-MS/MS mass-shift mode. The determination of carbon simultaneously with trace elements and target elements by ICP-MS makes this concept quite promising. Results demonstrated the potential of ICP-MS/MS for carbon determination.