Search

International audience; In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were biosynthesized with the use of an extract derived from seaweed (Sargassum sp.) and used as a sorbent for the removal of Cr(III) ions from wastewater. The biosorption properties of the seaweed itself as well as of the post-extraction residue were investigated for comparison. ZnO NPs were characterized with UV–vis, ICP-OES, FTIR, XRD, and SEM techniques. The sorption capacity of the (bio)sorbents was investigated as a function of contact time at different pH values and initial concentrations of metal ions. Sorption kinetics and isotherms were studied in order to comprehend the sorption nature and mechanism. The sorption kinetic data were well-fitted with the pseudo-second-order model, and the highest sorption capacity was calculated for ZnO NPs (137 mg/g), whereas those calculated for Sargassum sp. (82.0 mg/g) and the post-extraction residue (81.3 mg/g) were comparable (at pH 5 and 300 mg of Cr(III) ions/L). The adsorption isotherms for all sorbents were well described using the Langmuir model. According to these findings, ZnO NPs were superior to the sorption properties of the tested biosorbents and can be used as a potential sorbent for the removal of metal ions from wastewater. Renewable seaweed biomass can be used for the sustainable biosynthesis of nanoparticles used for environmental protection.

A new analytical method was proposed for multielement (Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr and Zn) analysis of Pu-erh teas infusions by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The Box-Behnken response surface design together with individual desirability functions and the joint desirability function approach was applied to develop experimental conditions of this new procedure, being alternative to high-temperature wet digestion. The procedure involved the samples to be just 5-fold diluted with 1.7 mol L

The Box-Behnken response surface design together with the individual desirability functions were used to develop the new and greenish sample preparation procedure of coffee brews prior to their multielement (Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr and Zn) analysis by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). The developed procedure required only 2-fold dilution of the samples with a 1.8 mol L

The aim of this study was to propose a complete approach for macroalgae biomass valorization into products useful for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. In the first stage, the effects of macroalgal extracts and ZnO NPs (zinc oxide nanoparticles) on the germination and growth of radish were examined. Macroalgal extract was produced from freshwater macroalga, i.e., Cladophora glomerata by ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE). The extract was used to biosynthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles. In germination tests, extracts and solutions of ZnO NPs were applied on paper substrate before sowing. In the second stage, sorption properties of macroalga, post-extraction residue, and ZnO NPs to absorb Cr(III) ions were examined. In the germination tests, the highest values of hypocotyl length (the edible part of radish), i.e., 3.3 and 2.6 cm were obtained for 60 and 80% extract (among the tested concentrations 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%) and 10 and 50 mg/L NPs, respectively. The highest sorption capacity of Cr(III) ions (344.8 mg/g) was obtained by both macroalga and post-extraction residue at a pH of 5 and initial Cr(III) ions concentration of 200 mg/L. This study proves that macroalgae and products based on them can be applied in both sustainable agriculture and wastewater treatment.

A technique of vapor generation assisted by a microplasma was used for sample introduction into inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Replacing a pneumatic nebulizer with a novel microplasma device improved the sensitivities of analytical signals for Ag, Bi, Cd, Pb, Tl, and Zn (by 2-13 times), as well as a concomitant reduction in their detection limits (DLs). Moreover, an outstanding improvement (30-fold) was achieved for Hg. The factors contributing to the boosted signal intensities were higher analyte fluxes and less water vapor produced by the microplasma system. The DLs of Ag, Bi, Cd, Hg, Pb, Tl, and Zn in microplasma-ICP OES were 0.4, 4, 0.06, 0.2, 2, 5, and 0.2 μg L

Four procedures based on closed-vessel microwave-assisted wet digestion with different oxidative reagents, including HNO3 (P1), HNO3 + H2O2 (P2), aqua regia (P3) and Lefort aqua regia (P4), for preparation of calcium (Ca)-rich materials prior to determination of total concentrations of Al, Ca, Cd, Fe, Mg and P by inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) were compared. It was found that digestion with Lefort aqua regia (P4) provided the best results for all examined elements, i.e., precision of 0.30–4.4%, trueness better than 2%, recoveries of added elements between 99.5–101.9%, and limits of detection within 0.08–1.8 ng g−1. Reliability of this procedure was verified by analysis of relevant certified reference materials (CRMs), i.e., Natural Moroccan Phosphate Rock—Phosphorite (BCR-O32). Additionally, selection of appropriate analytical lines for measurements of element concentrations, linear dynamic ranges of calibration curves and matrix effects on the analyte response were extensively investigated. Finally, the selected procedure was successfully applied for routine analysis of other Ca-rich materials, i.e., CRMs such as NIST 1400 (Bone Ash), CTA-AC-1 (Apatite Concentrate Kola Peninsula) and NCS DC70308 (Carbonate Rock), and six natural samples, such as a dolomite, a phosphate rock, an enriched superphosphate fertilizer, pork bones, pork bones after incineration, and after steam gasification.

The aim of this study was to propose a complete approach for macroalgae biomass valorization into products useful for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. In the first stage, the effects of macroalgal extracts and ZnO NPs (zinc oxide nanoparticles) on the germination and growth of radish were examined. Macroalgal extract was produced from freshwater macroalga, i.e., Cladophora glomerata by ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE). The extract was used to biosynthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles. In germination tests, extracts and solutions of ZnO NPs were applied on paper substrate before sowing. In the second stage, sorption properties of macroalga, post-extraction residue, and ZnO NPs to absorb Cr(III) ions were examined. In the germination tests, the highest values of hypocotyl length (the edible part of radish), i.e., 3.3 and 2.6 cm were obtained for 60 and 80% extract (among the tested concentrations 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%) and 10 and 50 mg/L NPs, respectively. The highest sorption capacity of Cr(III) ions (344.8 mg/g) was obtained by both macroalga and post-extraction residue at a pH of 5 and initial Cr(III) ions concentration of 200 mg/L. This study proves that macroalgae and products based on them can be applied in both sustainable agriculture and wastewater treatment.

The present review surveys original works published in the last decade on unique properties of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) operated in contact with solutions for plasma-assisted chemical vapor generation (CVG) of selected elements and their transport to spectrometric detectors like quartz tube atomic fluorescence (QT-AFS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Designs of different systems are reviewed in addition to achievable analytical performance for certain elements (Ag, As, Cd, Hg, In, I, Os, Pb, Sb, Se, Te and Zn) and applications of this novel sample introduction in trace analysis. Several important aspects for plasma-induced CVG were treated in this paper in details, including the effect of operating parameters and low molecular weight organic compounds on analytical response, possible mechanisms of generation of vapors and other volatile species of analytes as well as their chemical nature and generation efficiency.

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in products of natural origin. The extraction procedure of bioactive compounds from plant matrices is a crucial step in the development of useful new bioproducts for everyday life. The utilisation of analyses enabling the rapid identification of the presence of a given group of compounds can be helpful in the early stages of the development of new products in order to save time and reduce costs. Within this article, we have presented a comparison of different, accessible methods for the identification of various bioactive compounds, e.g., saponins, carboxylic acids, oils and fats, proteins and amino acids, steroids, and alkaloids in plant-based extracts. Additionally, the multielemental composition of extracts was also examined. The applied methods allowed for confirmation of the presence of biologically active compounds in bio-products obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction. At a later stage, these procedures should be supplemented by advanced analytical techniques in order to determine the plant chemicals’ content qualitatively and quantitatively.

A strategy was developed for the determination of total As in birch saps (BSs) by hydride generation (HG) coupled with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). We proposed and validated a simple and robust HG-ICP-OES method with no need for tedious and long sample preparation before measurements. Corresponding As hydride was generated in reaction with NaBH

The newest achievements in the field of glow microdischarges generated in contact with a flowing liquid cathode (FLC) and a flowing liquid anode (FLA), used as the excitation sources for optical emission spectrometry (OES), were summarized herein. The design of recently reported discharge systems was compared and comprehensively discussed. A lot of effort was devoted to evaluate the effect of selected operating parameters, i.e., discharge voltage and current, sample flow rate, sample pH, jet-supporting gas flow rate, and discharge gap, on the microplasma stability and the intensity of measurable analytical signals. Furthermore, the influence of chemical modifiers, i.e., organic acids, alcohols, and surfactants, aimed at improving the sensitivity and reducing matrix effects, was referred to as well. Finally, the analytical performance and the application of these promising excitation sources for the elemental analysis of different-matrix samples were presented.

Simple, straightforward non-chromatographic method for inorganic arsenic (i-As) determination in rice using species-selective hydride generation (HG) combined with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) without prior separation of methylated organoarsenicals (o-As) before measurements was developed and fully validated. i-As [As(III,V)] and o-As (DMA, MMA) species were extracted in aqua regia that oxidized As(III) to As(V), while integrity of both o-As forms was preserved. Arsenic hydrides from i-As were generated in reaction with NaBH4 (1%) in strong acidic conditions (10 mol L−1 HCl) after pre-reduction of As(V) to As(III) in a KI (0.5%)-ascorbic acid (2%)-HCl (3 mol L−1) mixture. Reactivity of As species toward HG under conditions of a rice matrix was investigated in order to improve detectability and selectivity of i-As when o-As coexists. Interferences related to contribution of DMA and MMA to the As signal recorded for i-As were pointed out. Limitations of the method for DMA and matrix effects for MMA were found advantageous to selectively measure i-As by HG-ICP OES. No matrix effects on i-As allowed to use external calibration for its quantification. Detection limit of 0.28 ng g−1 (5.6 ng g−1 in original sample), precision

A simple and fast, non-digestion treatment, and fully validated preparation procedures of dialyzable and non-dialyzable fractions of brews of ground (GCs) and instant (ICs) coffees prior to their elemental analysis (Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sr, and Zn) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F AAS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) was developed. Three different procedures: wet digestions (P1), direct analysis (P2), and acidification with HNO3 (P3) were tested. Among tested procedures, the direct analysis (P2) gave the most satisfactory results, i.e., precision from 0.54% (Fe) to 5.9% (Cu), recoveries ranging between 98.0% (Sr) and 104% (Al), detection limits within 0.095 (Ba)–1.8 (Ni) μg L−1, and quantification limits from 0.32 (Ba) to 6.0 (Ni) μg L−1. The chosen procedure was applied to determine bioaccessibility of 11 elements in GCs and ICs coffees using in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Average contributions of the bioaccessible fraction (%) of elements in brews were as follows: Al (19.0, 23.0), Ba (42.8, 48.4), Ca (35.0, 38.9), Cr (

This review article is focused on element composition of medicinal plants and herbs as well as their decoctions and infusions determined by atomic spectrometry methods. Considering quality and safety of these herbal beverages, widely practiced in herbalism for medicinal and supplementing purposes, element analysis is important, and quality of its results should not raise any doubts about reliability. Hence, original researches devoted to element analysis of decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants and herbs, published after 2000, have been surveyed in details, particularly focusing on sources of elements in medicinal plants, their availability for the intake during preparation of infusions and decoctions as well as different methodological aspects related to element analysis by atomic spectrometry, including sample pretreatment and preparation before measurements, calibration methods used, and verification of reliability of results.

Consumption of honey cannot raise any concern about its wholesomeness, safety and quality in reference to the content of different contaminants, particularly trace and hazardous elements. Element analysis of honey by atomic and mass spectrometry methods is an important part of its quality and safety. The present paper comprehensively reviews recent achievements in element analysis of honey that have been reported since 2012. The survey is focused on different research aspects of such analysis, including assessment of biological and geographical origin of honey by using chemometric methods, quality and safety of honey, and sample preparation of honey prior to element analysis by atomic and mass spectrometry methods. Calibration strategies and ways of quality assurance and control of the results are surveyed as well.

A systematic study of hydride generation (HG) of As, Bi, Sb and Se from solutions containing As(III), As(V), Bi(III), Sb(III), Sb(V), Se(IV) and Se(VI) was presented. Hydrides were generated in a gas-liquid phase separation system using a continuous flow vapor generation accessory (VGA) by mixing acidified aqueous sample, HCl and sodium borohydride reductant (NaBH4) solutions on-line. For detection, a simultaneous axially viewed inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was applied. Effects of the HCl concentration (related to sample and additional acid solutions) and type of the pre-reducing agents used for reduction of As(V), Sb(V) and Se(VI) into As(III), Sb(III) and Se(IV) on the analytical responses of As, Bi, Sb and Se were studied and discussed. Two compromised HG reaction conditions for simultaneous measurements of As+Bi+Sb (CC1) or As+Sb+Se (CC2) were established. It was found that choice of the pre-reductant prior to formation of the hydrides is critical in obtaining the dependable results of the analysis. Accordingly, for a As(III)+As(V)+Bi(III)+Sb(III)+Sb(V) mixture and using CC1, thiourea/thiourea-ascorbic acid interfered in Bi determination and hence, total As+Sb could be measured. If L-cysteine/L-cysteine-ascorbic acid were used, measurements of total Bi+Sb was possible in these HG reaction conditions. For a As(III)+As(V)+Sb(III)+Sb(V)+Se(IV)+Se(VI) mixture and using CC2, thiourea/thiourea-ascorbic acid and L-cysteine/L-cysteine-ascorbic acid influenced HG of Se but ensured total As+Sb determination. In contrast, heating a sample solution with HCl, although did not pre-reduce As(V) and Sb(V), assured quantitative reduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV). Finally, considering all favorable pre-reducing and HG conditions, methodologies for reliable determination of total As, Bi, Sb and Se by HG-ICP-OES were proposed. Strategies for single-, two- and three-element measurements were evaluated and validated, obtaining the detection limits (DLs) below 0.1ngg-1 and precision typically in the range of 1.4-3.9% RSD.

The effect of different interfering elements, i.e., Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn, on the analytical performance of flowing liquid anode atmospheric pressure glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (FLA-APGD OES) was extensively studied. In the presence of interfering ions, the emission from analytes was suppressed by ∼10% in the case of Hg and Tl, ∼20% for Cd and Ag, and up to ∼80% for Zn and Pb. This study revealed that interfering elements did not affect the atomization/excitation conditions, and the reason for the observed decrease in analytical response was the impaired efficiency of analytes transport from liquid to plasma phase. To reduce matrix effects, the use of different masking agents capable of complexing the interfering ions, e.g., organic acids, crown ethers, chelating agents, and other compounds, was investigated. FLA-APGD appeared to be quite susceptible to the presence of masking agents and only their small amounts could be added (limiting the effectiveness of this approach). Despite this, it was possible to significantly reduce the matrix effects originating from transition metals and alkali/alkaline earth metals. Based on the results presented herein, different sample treatment procedures, aimed at the minimization of matrix effects in microplasma excitation sources, can be developed. As an example, a method for the determination of trace amounts of Zn and Pb in the Fe-rich matrix has been shown. By the use of the selected masking agents, the recovery of Zn and Pb was improved 5.6-fold (from 10.4 to 57.8%) and 2.8-fold (from 13.6 to 38.0%), respectively. Despite the presence of Fe-rich matrix, the detection limits of Zn and Pb were quite low (0.1 and 0.8 μg L−1, respectively) and they were apparently lower than offered by ICP OES.

Background and aim Bee pollen is recognized to be a source of different nutrients, including minerals. As a food supplement, its quality and safety due to concentrations of essential macro- and microelements, and harmful trace elements has to be verified. Fast and simple element analysis of bee-collected pollen can be regarded as an important part of its quality assurance and control. The present study aimed at developping a new method for determination of selected elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn) of bee pollen based on solvent extraction and completely avoiding a high temperature treatment with concentrated reagents. In addition, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was used to assess bioavailability of elements from this food supplement. Methods Bee pollen samples were dried and pulverized. Total concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) in sample solutions obtained by wet digestion (WD) in concentrated HNO3 or alternatively by solvent extraction (SE) with diluted solutions of HNO3. Gastrointestinal digestion was mimicked using simulated solutions of gastric and intestinal juices followed by determination of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn concentrations in the bioaccessible fraction by FAAS. Results A new simple and fast method for determination of total concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn in bee pollen was developed and validated. The method combined room temperature, two-hour SE with 0.5 mol L−1 HNO3 with FAAS measurements versus simple standard solutions. It provided precision within 1–5 % and trueness better than 8%, and was shown to be suitable for fast analysis of different polyfloral bee pollens. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion revealed that elements were well (70–85 % for Ca, Mg) and fairly (27–43 % for Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) bioaccessible from bee pollen. By pouring with water and swelling overnight, bioaccessibility of studied elements from such prepared bee pollen was increased on average by less than 15 % (Mn), 20 % (Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn) or 30 % (Mn). Conclusions Avoiding long-lasting, high-temperature wet digestion with concentrated reagents, the proposed sample treatment along with FAAS provided precise and true results of total concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn in bee pollen. The method was simple and fast, and enabled to analyze a higher number of samples. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion of bee pollen have shown for the first time that Ca and Mg are the most bioaccessible from this bee product. Bioaccessibility of Cu, Fe, Mg, and Zn from bee pollen are close to or lower than 40 %.

A new simple and rapid method for the determination of the total concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in beetroot juices by flame atomic absorption spectrometry was developed and validated. The method included a very simple sample preparation, i.e., the two-fold dilution and acidification of the samples with HNO3 to 1 mol&middot, L&minus, 1 and provided the precision within 2%&ndash, 3% and the trueness better than 6%. The method was applied for the rapid screening analysis of the different commercially available beetroot juices. The chemical fractionation of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn was also proposed by the two-column solid-phase extraction with the reversed-phase and cation exchange tubes. It was revealed that Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were primarily in beetroot juices in the form of the organically bound forms, contributing to the distinguished hydrophobic and residual fractions. The sums of the mean contributions of both fractions were up to 98% (Cu, Fe, Zn) and 100% (Mn), pointing out that no labile nor unbound forms of the studied metals were present in the matrix of beetroot juices.

A fast and straightforward sample preparation procedure of the dialyzable fraction of infusions of teas prior to their analysis on Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sr, and Zn contents by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) was developed and validated. The proposed methodology was based on acidification with HNO3 only and demonstrated good analytical performance, i.e., precision (0.80–5.0%), accuracy (

Continuous flow (CF) hydride generation (HG) using a vapor generation accessory (VGA) coupled to a simultaneous axially viewed inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP OES) for the ultrasensitive measurement of As, Bi, Sb and Se was investigated. Hydrides were generated in a gas–liquid phase separation system by mixing acidified aqueous sample, additional HCl and reductant (NaBH4) solutions on-line. Instrumental (emission line wavelength, RF power, and flow rates of the sample and waste solutions, along with the sample read delay and wash times) and chemical (concentrations of NaBH4 and HCl in the sample (S) and additional acid (A) solutions) variables affecting the effectiveness of HG were examined to achieve the optimum conditions for single- and multi-element analysis. The limitations of the HG reaction due to potential interference effects between the hydride-forming elements were identified. Satisfactorily, As and Sb hydrides could be generated in a wide range of HCl concentrations either in the S solution or the A solution, i.e. 1–6 (S) or 5–10 (A) mol L−1 HCl. For Bi and Se, HG depended strongly on the acidity and the optimum HCl concentrations for both elements were completely opposite. HG for Bi was the best at the lowest acidity (1 (S) and 5 (A) mol L−1 HCl), whereas the maximum Se responses were acquired using the highest HCl concentrations (6 (S) and 10 (A) mol L−1 HCl). Compromised conditions for the simultaneous measurement of As + Bi + Sb or As + Sb + Se, without any adverse interactions between the elements, were successfully established with an analysis time of ∼2 min per sample. Under these conditions, the detectability of all the elements was improved greatly (2 orders of magnitude versus ICP OES). Linear concentration ranges (0–20 ng g−1), detection limits from 0.027–0.099 ng g−1 and a precision better than 2% (as RSD) were achieved.

An analytical scheme for physical fractionation of Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sr and Zn in ground roasted and soluble coffees brews was proposed. It was based on ultrafiltration through five ultrafiltration membranes having molecular weight cut-offs of 5, 10, 30, 50 and 100kDa. The highest "100kDa" and the lowest "5kDa" molecular weight fractions were established to differentiate the studied coffees brews the most. Al, Cu, Fe and Ni were mostly associated with the "100kDa" fraction, while Co, K, Mg and Na - with the "5kDa" fraction. For Ba, Ca, Mn, Sr and Zn, "100kDa" and "5kDa" fractions contributions were equally accounted. The physical fractionation pattern of selected metals was convenient for discovering important features of brews of both coffee types and differences between them by principal component analysis and then classifying them by linear discriminant analysis.

A simple, non-digestion treatment of brews of ground roasted and instant coffees prior to their analysis on the content of Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Na (with flame atomic absorption spectrometry) and Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Sr (with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry) was proposed. Three different sample preparation procedures of brews, including acidification with HNO 3 and aqua regia (both at 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 mol L − 1 ) and direct analysis of untreated beverages, were compared. Under selected conditions, i.e . , using acidification of brews with HNO 3 to 0.25 mol L − 1 , precision (as relative standard deviation) from 0.2 to 8.7% and detection limits between 0.036 (Sr) and 36 (Fe) ng mL − 1 were achieved. Accuracy of the chosen procedure was verified by comparing obtained results with those assessed using open-vessel wet digestion. Eighteen different coffees marketed in Poland were analyzed with the use of the proposed procedure. Concentrations of selected metals (Al, Ca, Co, K, Mg, Mn, Ni) were effectively used to classify brews of analyzed coffees by principal component analysis, factor analysis and hierarchic cluster analysis.

A direct analysis of instant coffee brews with HR-CS-FAAS spectrometry to determine the total Ca, Fe, Mg and Mn content has been developed and validated. The proposed method is simple and fast; it delivers good analytical performance; its accuracy being within -3% to 3%, its precision--2-3% and detection limits--0.03, 0.04, 0.004 and 0.01 mg l(-1) for Ca, Fe, Mg and Mn, respectively. In addition, Ca, Fe, Mg and Mn bioaccessibility in instant coffee brews was measured by means of the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion with the use of simulated gastric and intestinal juice solutions. Absorption of metals in intestinal villi was simulated by means of ultrafiltration over semi-permeable membrane with a molecular weight cut-off of 5 kDa. Ca, Fe, Mg and Mn concentrations in permeates of instant coffee gastrointestinal incubates were measured with HR-CS-FAA spectrometry.

The applicability of the hydride generation (HG) sample introduction technique combined with different spectrochemical detection methods for non-chromatographic speciation of toxic As species, i.e., As(III), As(V), dimethylarsinate (DMA) and monomethylarsonate (MMA), in waters and other environmental, food and biological matrices is presented as a promising tool to speciate As by obviating chromatographic separation. Different non-chromatographic procedures along with speciation protocols reported in the literature over the past 20 year are summarized. Basic rules ensuring species selective generation of the corresponding hydrides are presented in detail. Common strategies and alternative approaches are highlighted. Aspects of proper sample preparation before analysis and the selection of adequate strategies for speciation purposes are emphasized.

A new method for determining total concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn in bee-collected pollen by line source-flame atomic absorption spectrometry (LS-FAAS) combined with ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction (UAE) at a sample preparation stage was developed. A Box-Behnken response surface design along with individual and composite desirability functions were applied to establish optimal conditions of the UAE procedure. Under optimal conditions, i.e., sonication of samples with a 1.1 mol L−1 HNO3 solution at 40 °C and for 15 min (for Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn and Zn) or a 0.9 mol L−1 HNO3 solution at 65 °C and for 15 min as well (for Fe), the method was verified to be precise (related standard deviations within 2–4%) and true (relative errors from −5% to +4%). Limits of detection (LODs) of studied metals were within the μg g−1 range. The developed method was used in very fast and simple analysis of ten different dried bee pollens collected in the summer of 2019.

Comparison of leachability of a set of 31 elements from ashes prepared by laboratory-scale experiments of incineration and allothermal steam gasification of the residual from mechanical treatment of municipal solid waste (RMT-MSW) has been discussed in terms of the oxygen potential ( R T l n p O 2 ) of high temperature (HT) process. Both incineration and steam gasification enable elimination of organic components and carbonaceous residue from the waste. The essential difference between ashes from oxygen incineration and steam gasification consists in (1) higher leachability of metals from gasification ash by diluted (2 M) inorganic acids (HCl, HNO3) and (2) preservation of metallic form of copper in gasification process. Grinding and fractioning of ashes revealed that pieces of metallic Al were accumulated mainly in the coarser grains, but also in fine fraction 0.16 0.50 mm after incineration and 63% of Al, 84.% of Cu and 80% of Zn – in the ash grains o > 0.16 mm after gasification, with 3.80% and 14.8% of the ash mass, respectively. Contrary to incineration, 82% of copper was accumulated in fraction 0.16

This review article presents 20 years of achievements made in the element analysis of bee pollen and bee bread. Special attention is paid to the sample pre-treatment and preparation procedures of the collected samples before such analyses carried out by different atomic and mass spectrometry methods. This includes the ways of wet and dry digestions, calibration strategies applied, and the validation of the results of these measurements. The role of different elements determined at levels of major, minor and trace elements in bee pollen and bee bread is also surveyed, focusing on their nutrition implications as well as benefits in the control and monitoring of the environmental pollution in the areas where the both bee products are collected.

A reliable method of the multi-element analysis of black and green teas, based on the ultrasound-assisted solubilisation of samples in aqua regia, was developed and validated for the determination of Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn and Na by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The proposed alternative sample preparation procedure was fast, straightforward and inexpensive in reference to amounts of reagents used and the equipment required. It gave results statistically identical to those achieved with the reference procedure, i.e., the microwave-assisted wet digestion, validated by the analysis of a certified reference material of tea leaves (INCT-TL-1). Its analytical performance was also good and demonstrated by the precision (0.2–8.9%) and the accuracy (from − 9.9 to + 1.2%) of results. Recoveries of added metals were in the range of 98.1 to 104%. Limits of quantification of studied metals were in the following ranges: 0.1–2.4 ng mL− 1 (Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sr and Zn), 5.1–25 ng mL− 1 (Al, K, Mg, Mn, Na and Pb) and 75–120 ng mL− 1 (Ca and Fe). The procedure was used for the analysis of 20 samples of different bagged and leaf black and green teas available in the Polish market. Concentrations of selected metals (Al, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr) were applied for the successful grouping of analyzed teas into four certain classes using the principal component analysis and the linear discriminant analysis.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a bio-accumulative plant for arsenic (As), particularly the most toxic inorganic As species (i-As), and the main contributor to i-As intake among agricultural products. The analytical process for determination and speciation of As in rice is complex. Different aspects have to be considered, including detection method, calibration strategy, sample-treatment and preparation procedures, and quality assurance and quality control of results. It is well known that sample preparation is a critical step in the whole analytical chain, so this review surveys achievements in analysis of rice for the content of total As and the species of As reported in the past 15 years using spectrochemical techniques. We discuss different sample-preparation procedures, with their advantages and drawbacks. We highlight common strategies and alternative approaches to speciation analysis of As.

This chapter deals with different aspects of elemental analysis of fruit juices by spectrometric methods. The most commonly applied analytical spectrometric methods, including flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometries, as well as inductively coupled plasma optical emission and mass spectrometries, are described. Different procedures of sample treatment of fruit juices prior to elemental analysis are presented with details. In addition, calibration methods and quality assurance procedures are surveyed.

In the quest for good health, consumption of fruit juices is an excellent option. As a cocktail of nutritionally important compounds, including various essential elements, fruit juices are an integral part of the balanced-diet. In order to attain the nutritional elemental composition of this beverage, knowledge about all the elements contained must be gained, including those present at (ultra)trace levels. Among them, Se is a complex constituent with a double behavior, essential or toxic, depending on its concentration and chemical form. The determination of trace and ultra-trace amounts of Se in foods is a challenge. Precise and accurate methods are necessary in order to obtain reliable results. Hence, the present chapter is aimed at summarizing achievements to date in the determination and speciation of Se in fruit juices using spectrochemical techniques. In addition, beneficial effects related to the Se presence (originally or supplemented) in fruits juices are pointed out.

A simple method of simultaneous determination of aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), strontium (Sr) and zinc (Zn) in brews of ground and soluble coffees was proposed. It relied on acidification of brews with HNO3 to 1.3 mol L-1 and their analysis by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Precision of 0.1-9% and detection limits from 0.07 ng mL-1 (Sr) to 3 ng mL-1 (Ni) were achieved. Trueness of the method was verified by comparison of results with those achieved with wet digestion and by the recovery study, and was better than 5%. Additionally, chemical fractionation by tandem solid phase extraction with reverse-phase and strong cation-exchange extraction tubes was carried out. Differences in chemical fractionation patterns, particularly the residual fraction, was useful for differentiation of ground and soluble coffees by analysis of variance, principle component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis.

Various sample preparation procedures for the simultaneous determination of As, Sb and Se in fruit juices by hydride generation inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (HG-ICP-OES) were examined. Applicability of total wet digestion with HNO3/H2O2, partial decomposition (solubilisation in aqua regia), 1:1 dilution with 2% (v/v) HNO3 and direct analysis were evaluated. Hydrides were generated in the reaction of an acidified sample with NaBH4 after pre-reduction with KI-ascorbic acid for total As and Sb, and boiling with HCl for total Se. Best results, i.e. limits of detection (LODs) of 0.51-0.73 ng mL(-1), precision (RSD) within 1.7-3.6% and recoveries for spiked samples between 101% and 106% were found using aqua regia treatment. This procedure simplifying and improving sample preparation step prior to As, Sb and Se measurements in fruit juices by HG-ICP-OES, thus could be adequate for the routine analysis in terms of the quality control of these drinks.