This application note introduces the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010 edition limit requirements for heavy metals and describes the application of Agilent Technologies 's microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) in the determination of heavy metal content in Chinese herbal medicines.
This document details a method for analyzing heavy metals in traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCMs) using microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES). It highlights the benefits of the Agilent 4100 MP-AES, such as low running costs, improved safety by eliminating hazardous gases, and excellent long-term stability compared to conventional flame AAS.
The note outlines the experimental procedure, including sample preparation via microwave digestion and specific instrument conditions. It presents results showing that the MP-AES method yields recoveries between 90% and 110% and detection limits under 3 µg/mL for most elements, with results agreeing well with traditional techniques and certified reference materials.
| Recoveries | between 90 and 110% |
|---|---|
| Correlation coefficient | better than 0.999 |
| Nebulizer pressure | 160-220 kPa |
| Read time | 3s |
MP-AES provides an ideal, low-cost solution with excellent long-term stability, reduced running costs, and improved lab safety by eliminating the need for expensive and dangerous gases.
No, by using a nitrogen plasma, the 4100 MP-AES eliminates the need for expensive and dangerous gases such as acetylene.