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Published on: January 20, 2023
Development of a Solid Phase Extraction-Based Method for the Quantitative Analysis of Methylmercury in Soil and
Sachiko Kakimoto1, Masato Yoshimitsu2, Kyohei Kiyota2
1Division of Hygienic Chemistry, Osaka Institute of Public Health, 1-3-69 Nakamichi, Higashinari-ku, Osaka, 537-0025, Japan. kakimoto@iph.osaka.jp.
Abstract:
A simple, universal method to quantify soil methylmercury (MeHg) is not available. Here, we developed a solid-phase extraction-based method using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. MeHg was purified from the soil matrix using an optimized solid-phase extraction method, which reduced the use of organic solvents and eliminated the requirement for harmful reagents. The sample limit of quantification was 7.5 ng/g. MeHg recovery in the reference samples was 96.2%-102.6%; the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 3.4%-7.1% and 4.3%-7.1%, respectively, indicating high validation performance. This analysis method is simple as it can be performed using general-purpose reagents and instruments; has a high degree of trueness and accuracy; could be useful for soil MeHg quantification with improved sensitivity; and can provide reliable data to prevent MeHg contamination and improve food safety.
