MASS-SPECTROMETRY OF TRACE-ELEMENTS IN BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES

Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical tool for determining the is otope ratios and concentrations of trace elements in various samples a t levels ranging from major constituents to subparts per billion. Beca use isotope dilution is free from matrix effects, it has the potential of being incorporated into a definitive analytical approach that can provide reference values for concentrations in physiological and patho logical conditions. In addition, isotope dilution mass spectrometry re sults are free from the constraints of quantitative recovery of the an alyte, an essential requirement in other analytical techniques that is difficult to achieve with complex biological samples. A variety of ma ss spectrometric approaches have been used for determining the concent ration of trace elements in biological samples. The more commonly used are thermal ionization mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, and gas ch romatography mass spectrometry. This article reviews the work on trace element determination in biological samples using different mass spec trometric techniques and highlights the experiments performed by the a uthors in establishing gas chromatography mass spectrometry.