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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Preparation of Food Samples Using Homogenization and Microwave-Assisted Wet Acid Digestion for Multi-Element Determination with ICP-MS
Published on: December 22, 2023
[Determination of trace elements in rat liver by microwave digestion technique--FAAS methods]
Ai-dong Zhao1, Xue-liang Zhai, Jing-ze Liu
1Experiment Centre, Hebei Nomal University, Shijiazhuang 050016, China.
This study presents a rapid microwave digestion method for analyzing essential minerals like calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn) in rat liver using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The optimized technique offers complete digestion and accurate trace element determination.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
Context:
- Accurate quantification of trace elements in biological matrices is crucial for understanding physiological processes and potential toxicities.
- Traditional wet digestion methods can be time-consuming and may lead to analyte loss or contamination.
Purpose:
- To develop and validate a rapid microwave digestion method for determining calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) in rat liver samples.
- To optimize flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) conditions for enhanced sensitivity and accuracy.
Summary:
- Microwave digestion significantly reduces sample preparation time compared to conventional wet methods.
- The optimized FAAS method provides complete sample digestion with low blank values and high accuracy (96%-103% recovery).
- The method demonstrates excellent selectivity and precision (1.0%-2.6% RSD) for trace element analysis in rat liver.
Impact:
- Enables faster and more reliable elemental analysis in biological tissues.
- Facilitates research in nutritional science, environmental health, and toxicology by providing a robust analytical method.
- Contributes to the development of standardized protocols for trace element determination in complex matrices.
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