Development and Validation of a Method for the Determination of Mercury in Small Rat Brain Tissue Samples by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

Abstract

A rugged, sensitive, semi-automated method for the determination of trace-level mercury in small rat brain tissue samples by cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CVAFS) is described. Small tissue aliquots (100 mg) are digested for 6-8 h at an elevated temperature in a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids. Following digestion, samples are oxidized with potassium bromate/bromide at room temperature and treated with ANALYTICAL LETTERS a continuous flow of stannous chloride to generate mercury vapor. The experimentally determined method quantitation limit (MQL) in the rat brain matrix is 10 pg Hg/mL, which corresponds to 1.5 ng Hg/g brain tissue. Replicate matrix spike preparations (n ¼ 4) at this level were determined with a high level of accuracy (89.8%) and precision (6.9% RSD). Replicates (n ¼ 36) of a certified reference material (DOLT-2, trace metals in dogfish liver) were prepared and analyzed over a four year period in order to assess the ruggedness and accuracy of the method. The average recovery for mercury in this material was 99.9% of the certified level.

Gestational Mercury Vapor Exposure and Diet Contribute to Mercury Accumulation in Neonatal Rats

“…The next morning, samples were cooled, diluted with concentrated hydrochloric acid (trace metal grade), and neutralized. Digested samples were diluted to volume with deionized water and analyzed for total Hg by cold-vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry as described previously ( Levine et al 2002 ). Milk samples were prepared the same as tissue samples without the homogenization step.…”

Atomic spectrometry update. Advances in atomic emission, absorption and fluorescence spectrometry and related techniques

“…Levine et al 161 devised a CV-AFS method for the determination of Hg in small rat brain tissue samples, which were digested for 6-8 h at an elevated temperature in a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids followed by oxidation with potassium bromate/bromide at room temperature. The reducing agent was stannous chloride.…”

Design and characterisation of a vapour generation system for determination of mercury by atomic absorption spectrometry

“…Mercury and its organic compounds are well known neurotoxins, even at very low concentrations, and sensitive techniques such as cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] have been developed to measure low concentrations. The CV approach separates the analyte from the sample matrix and transports it to the atom cell with nearly 100% efficiency.…”