Development and Validation of Analytical Methods for Ultra-Trace Beryllium in Biological Matrices

Abstract

Beryllium (Be) is still not well understood from a toxicological point of view, and studies that involve the determination of different Be compounds species in tissues need to be conducted. In this paper we describe the development and validation of reliable methods for the detection of ultra-trace levels of Be in various biological matrices. Blood and tissues (liver, lung, spleen, and kidney) were used in this study. The samples were digested with a mixture of nitric and perchloric acids for Be and BeAl and an addition of sulfuric acid was made for BeO. The solutions were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with (6)Li as internal standard. The detection limits are in the order of 0.02 ng/g for tissue and 0.03 ng/mL for blood, and were compared to existing reference methods. To our knowledge, this is the first study that assesses dissolution of the different Be compounds in biological matrices, while also undergoing a rigorous optimization and complete validation. This method has proven that it is reliable, among the most sensitive available in the literature, and that it can be used in trace toxicological studies for Be.

Fast and simple multi-element determination of essential and toxic metals in whole blood with quadrupole ICP-MS

“…The behavior of the internal standard elements in the plasma is dependent on atomic mass and ionization efficiency. Internal standards are used to correct variations in signal intensity due to instrument instability and nonspectral interferences (suppression or enhancement of the signal caused by the matrix) (Vanhaecke et al, 1992;Paquette et al, 2010). Exisiting methods in literature for the determination of trace elements in biological materials have used rhodium or bismuth as internal standards.…”

“…This approach can reduce spectral and non-spectral interference problems, but has the risk of introducing contamination. Nowadays sample digestion using microwave is an interesting method (Kadar et al, 2011;Pick et al, 2010). Dilution is a way to reduce matrix effect of the sample and many studies report the use of different diluents applied to whole blood samples.…”

“…Although these techniques may achieve the required sensitivity to determine elements at trace levels, they are lacking in speed and ease to use. ICP-MS could be very useful for a wide range of clinical applications because the great sensitivity acquired in this technique with low detection limits enabling toxicologists to sufficiently estimate the toxic levels and environmental metal exposure (Parsons and Barbosa Jr, 2007;Ammann, 2007;D'Ilio et al, 2006;Bárany et al, 1997;Rivero Martino et al, 2000;Sariego Muñiz et al, 1999). Furthermore, this method offers new possibilities in several fields such as clinical chemistry, clinical toxicology, forensic toxicology as well as workplace testing or environmental exposure and also applicable in epidemiological studies (Bortoli et al, 1992).The development of reliable and sensitive methods for elements quantification in low-level concentration is a necessary requirement to detect increases or deficiencies considered unusual in human body.…”