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Sample pre-treatment methods for the trace elements determination in seafood products by atomic absorption
Pilar Bermejo-Barrera1, Antonio Moreda-Piñeiro, Adela Bermejo-Barrera
1Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Avenida das Ciencias s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Talanta
|October 31, 2008
Summary
This study compared seafood sample pre-treatments for trace element analysis using atomic absorption spectrometry. New methods like enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrasound-assisted leaching showed promise for accurate elemental determination.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Food Science
Background:
- Accurate determination of trace elements in seafood is crucial for food safety and environmental monitoring.
- Traditional sample pre-treatment methods can be time-consuming and may introduce variability.
- Developing efficient and reliable pre-treatment techniques is essential for trace element analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare various sample pre-treatment methods for trace element determination in seafood.
- To evaluate novel techniques such as enzymatic hydrolysis and microwave/ultrasound-assisted leaching.
- To assess the suitability of these methods using certified reference materials (DORM-1 and DOLT-1).
Main Methods:
- Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS) and Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ETAAS) were employed for trace element analysis.
- Sample pre-treatments included microwave-assisted acid digestion, slurry sampling, microwave/ultrasound-assisted acid leaching, and enzymatic hydrolysis (pronase E).
- Statistical analysis using the Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) method and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed for comparative evaluation.
Main Results:
- The study evaluated the effectiveness of different pre-treatment methods for determining trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn).
- Novel methods, particularly enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrasound-assisted leaching, demonstrated comparable or superior results to traditional techniques.
- Multivariate analysis (PCA) aided in distinguishing the performance of various pre-treatment strategies.
Conclusions:
- Enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrasound-assisted leaching are effective alternatives for seafood sample pre-treatment in trace element analysis.
- These advanced methods offer potential for improved accuracy, efficiency, and reduced sample manipulation.
- The findings support the adoption of optimized pre-treatment protocols for reliable trace element quantification in seafood matrices.
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