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Published on: August 15, 2018
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Three certified sugar reference materials for carbon isotope delta measurements
Michelle M G Chartrand1, Juris Meija1, Paramee Kumkrong1
1Measurement Science and Standards, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Rd, M-12, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1A 0R6.
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM
|November 16, 2018
Summary
New certified reference materials for carbon isotope delta analysis are now available. These sugar materials ensure reliable measurements for various organic samples, improving scientific accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Isotope Geochemistry
Background:
- Accurate isotope delta analysis requires matrix-matched reference materials.
- The National Research Council Canada developed three sugar Certified Reference Materials (CRMs): BEET-1 (beet sugar), GALT-1 (galactose), and FRUT-1 (fructose).
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and characterize three new sugar CRMs for carbon isotope delta measurements.
- To provide reliable reference materials for normalizing isotope delta values in sugars and other organic materials.
Main Methods:
- Materials were homogenized and analyzed using elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS) at NRC and six other laboratories.
- Data were re-normalized using international secondary reference materials (IAEA-CH-6, USGS40, USGS62) for quality control.
- A statistical model accounting for laboratory effects and correlations was used to determine consensus values.
Main Results:
- Consensus δ(13 C) values (VPDB scale) with combined standard uncertainties were determined for BEET-1 (-26.02(7) ‰), GALT-1 (-21.41(6) ‰), and FRUT-1 (-10.98(5) ‰).
- These values encompass a range suitable for normalizing various organic materials.
- The uncertainties include contributions from characterization, homogeneity, and stability.
Conclusions:
- Three new δ(13 C) sugar CRMs (BEET-1, GALT-1, FRUT-1) are available from NRC.
- These CRMs can be used as a set for daily δ(13 C) scale normalization.
- Their use promotes reliable δ(13 C) measurements in sugar-based and other organic materials.
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