a high-performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (hplc-icp-ms) method was developed for the rapid and accurate analysis of arsenobetaine in fish samples extracted by accelerated solvent extraction. the combined extraction and analysis approach was validated using certified reference materials for arseno- betaine in fish and during a european intercomparison exercise with a blind sample. up to six species of arsenic can be separated and quantified in the extracts within a 10-minisocratic elution. the method was optimized so as to minimize time-consuming sample preparation steps and to allow for automated extraction and analysis of large sample batches. a comparison of standard addition and external calibration showed no significant difference in the results obtained, which indicates that the liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method is not influenced by severe matrix effects. the extraction procedure could process up to 24 samples in an automated manner while the robustness of the developed high performance liquid chromatography- inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry approach is highlighted by the capability to run more than 50 injec- tions per sequence which equates to a total run-time of more than 12 hours. the method can therefore be used to rapidly and accurately assess the proportion of nontoxic arsenobetaine.
The text details the development of a semi-automated analytical method to determine arsenic species, specifically arsenobetaine (AsB), in fish tissues. The approach combines automated accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) with high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). This combination allows for the rapid separation and quantification of up to six arsenic species within a 10-minute elution time, minimizing sample preparation steps.
The methodology utilizes an Agilent Technologies 1100 HPLC system coupled with an Agilent Technologies 7500i ICP-MS. The extraction procedure processes up to 24 samples automatically using a Dionex ASE 200 extractor, while the analysis sequence can run more than 50 injections per sequence (over 12 hours). The method was validated using certified reference materials and demonstrated robustness against matrix effects.
| Elution Time | 10 min |
|---|---|
| Sample Throughput (Extraction) | up to 24 samples |
| Sequence Capacity | more than 50 injections |
| Total Run Time | more than 12 hours |
| Detection Limit (AsB) | 0.04 ng/g as As |
| Linearity Range | 0-700 ng/g as As |
A Dionex ASE 200 accelerated solvent extractor was used.
An Agilent Technologies 1100 HPLC system coupled to an Agilent Technologies 7500i ICP-MS.
Up to six species of arsenic can be separated and quantified.