Quantitative analysis of pathological nails using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biomedical Spectroscopy
• Materials Science

Background:

• Nail analysis is crucial for diagnosing various health conditions.
• Elemental composition of nails can indicate systemic diseases.
• Non-destructive elemental analysis methods are in demand.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for simultaneous elemental analysis of Ca, Na, and K in normal and pathological nails.
• To compare LIBS spectral data between normal and pathological nail samples.
• To utilize the CN violet band emission for plasma plume and sample surface temperature estimation.

Main Methods:

• Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was employed for elemental analysis.
• Spectra of Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), and Potassium (K) were measured.
• The B²∑+ --> X²∑+ violet band emission spectrum of Cyanogen (CN) was analyzed to estimate plasma temperature.

Main Results:

• LIBS successfully measured Ca, Na, and K in both normal and pathological nail samples.
• Distinct spectral differences were observed between normal and pathological nail types.
• Transient plasma plume temperature was estimated using CN band emission, correlating with sample surface temperature.

Conclusions:

• LIBS is a viable technique for the simultaneous elemental analysis of Ca, Na, and K in nails.
• LIBS can differentiate between normal and pathological nail samples based on elemental profiles.
• Plasma temperature estimation provides additional diagnostic information for nail analysis.