Facile Chip-Based Array Monolithic Microextraction System Online Coupled with ICPMS for Fast Analysis of Trace Heavy Metals in Biological Samples

Abstract

Trace heavy metals have great impact on biological system; therefore, it is essential to develop suitable analytical methods for the determination of trace heavy metals in biological samples to elucidate their biochemical and physiological functions in organisms. Herein, we presented a chip-based array monolithic microextraction system and combined it with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) for online analysis of trace Hg, Pb, and Bi in real-world biological samples. Six ethylenediamine modified poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (poly(GMA-co-EDMA-NH)) capillary monolithic columns were embedded parallelly in microchannels of a microfluidic chip for array monolithic microextraction. Various parameters affecting the chip-based array monolithic microextraction of target metals were investigated. The sample throughput of the proposed method was 16 h, with the limits of detection for Hg, Pb, and Bi of 23, 12, and 13 ng L, respectively. The developed method was validated by the determination of trace Hg, Pb, and Bi in HepG2 cells and human urine samples, and the recoveries for the spiked samples were in the range of 90.4-102%. This chip-based array monolithic microextraction system is easy to prepare, and the proposed online analytical system provides a new platform for trace elements analysis in biological samples with the merits of high sample throughput, high sensitivity, and low sample/reagents consumption.

Recent Progress in Fast Sample Preparation Techniques

“…160−162 For example, they fabricated a chip device for array monolithic microextraction and combined it with inductively coupled plasma MS for online analysis of trace Hg, Pb, and Bi in real-world biological samples. 160 In another case, they online combined a facile droplet chip with time-resolved inductively coupled plasma MS via a microflow nebulizer for the determination of zinc in single HepG2 cells. 161 By benefiting from both miniaturization and online coupling strategies, their analysis systems turn out having better acceleration performance.…”

“…This covalent cross-linked polymer gel-based online analysis approach was proved to be a rapid and sensitive method for trace aflatoxins quantitation. Hu’s group also perform some excellent works on miniaturized online preparation and analysis system, recently. − For example, they fabricated a chip device for array monolithic microextraction and combined it with inductively coupled plasma MS for online analysis of trace Hg, Pb, and Bi in real-world biological samples . In another case, they online combined a facile droplet chip with time-resolved inductively coupled plasma MS via a microflow nebulizer for the determination of zinc in single HepG2 cells .…”

Multifunctional microfluidic chips for the single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of inorganic nanoparticles

“…The chips could process 16 samples in one hour. 19 On-line preconcentration of Pt(IV), Au(III) and Bi(III) using magnetic organic porous polymers was also succesfully demonstrated in. 20 The same group also reported about the construction of MCs for the study of the uptake of nanoparticles (NPs) by HeLa cells, 21 the release of Fe and Pt from HepG2 cells that previously were treated with FePt NPs, 22 and the determination of Zn in single HepG2 cells, 23 and the development of an ion-imprinted monolithic capillary microextraction chip for the analysis of Gd 3+ in human serum and urine samples.…”

Determination of ligustrazine in rat serum by polymer monolithic micro-extraction combined with ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

“…As a polymer extraction material, poly (methacrylic acid-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) [poly (MAA-EGDMA)] could provide good biocompatibility for much biological samples, which possessed good permeability to make extraction faster and performed high-throughput analysis. Moreover, good stability in a wide range of pH was suitable for processing biological samples [22][23][24].…”