Rapid and accurate analyses of silicon and phosphorus in plants using a portable X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer

Abstract

Summary• The elemental analysis of plant material is a frequently employed tool across biological disciplines, yet accurate, convenient and economical methods for the determination of some important elements are currently lacking. For instance, digestion-based techniques are often hazardous and time-consuming and, particularly in the case of silicon (Si), can suffer from low accuracy due to incomplete solubilization and potential volatilization, whilst other methods may require large, expensive and specialised equipment.• Here, we present a rapid, safe and accurate procedure for the simultaneous, nonconsumptive analysis of Si and phosphorus (P) in as little as 0.1 g dried and ground plant material using a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (P-XRF).• We used certified reference materials from different plant species to test the analytical performance of P-XRF and show that the analysis suffers from very little bias and that the repeatability precision of the measurements is as good as or better than that of other methods.• Using this technique we were able to process and analyse 200 ground samples a day, so P-XRF could provide a particularly valuable tool for plant biologists requiring the simultaneous nonconsumptive analysis of multiple elements, including those known to be difficult to measure such as Si, in large numbers of samples.

A rapid and multi-element method for the analysis of major nutrients in grass (Lolium perenne) using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

“…Omote et al (1995) concluded that while the FP method is effective as a screening tool in instances where estimates of concentrations across a broad range of elements are required, their research on moor vegetation recommended that standard samples with similar composition to unknowns may be necessary to improve predictions. Often, these standards are prepared using similar materials, and for plant analysis for instance, cellulose with spiked concentrations of elements is used (Reidinger et al, 2012) However, in this study, percentage P and Mg determined using the FP method in EDXRF were consistently lower than the ICP-OES values, despite a high correlation (r > 0.80) between methods for both elements. The source of disagreement between EDXRF and ICP-OES methods when FP calibration was used was largely due to lack of accuracy, which reduced the estimates of CCC for both elements.…”

“…For environmental samples such as soils and plants, with large elemental compositions, the presence and predominance of other elements can interfere with the values for elements of interest. These are known as matrix effects and are often overcome by calibrating using simple matrices or synthetic materials spiked with a range of element concentrations (Paltridge et al, 2012;Reidinger et al, 2012). Alternatively, calibration of complex matrices often uses the fundamental parameters (FP) method, first developed in the mid-50s by Sherman (1955).…”

“…The robustness of the method of sample preparation for EDXRF measurement was also tested using both CRMs (Table 3) over an 11-day period using a different analyst Reidinger et al (2012) found excellent repeatability (counting and instrument statistics) in EDXRF for the determination of Si and P using plant CRMs. The repeatability and robustness testing of EDXRF calibrations methods in our study indicated steady and consistent results from both instrument measurement and sample preparation, which -combined with excellent agreement with ICP-OES -supports our conclusion that EDXRF measurement of grass samples can replace digestive analysis and provide rapid analysis of high volumes of samples to capture a range of elements with excellent accuracy and precision.…”

Use Citrus aurantium plant as bio-indicator of air pollution in Baghdad city

“…The fresh leaf samples collected were analyzed for total chlorophyll content [9]; ascorbic acid content [10]; proline determination [11]; pH was determined by pH meter after calibrating with buffer solution [12]. The other parameters like relative water content of leaf samples [13]; Electrical conductivity [14]; total nitrogen content and protein content were estimated by Antial et al [15]; sugar content [16]; determination of elements like cadmium, lead were measured by x-ray fluorescence device (made in Germany) [17]. Values of APTI was calculated by method of Singh and Rao [7] by calculating four biochemical parameters where ( ) .…”

Caracterização bioquímica e biofísica da enzima β-glicosidase Bgl1 de Aspergillus niger e avaliação de potenciais biomassas para produção de bioetanol

“…As medidas foram realizadas segundo metodologia previamente estabelecida 201 , utilizando um equipamento de FRX portável (Niton XL3t900 Analyzer, Thermo Scientific, UK) equipado com um tubo de raios-X e um detector para Si. 206 .…”