Biomonitoring Resources – NexION 2000
The determination of trace elements in biological fluids presents a challenge for a number of reasons, including the complex nature of the matrices and the widely varying concentrations of the metals which are present.
Iron is an essential metal cofactor for diverse biological processes within the bacterial cell. It is often a growth-limiting nutrient in bacteria, and the total iron quota for a cell will depend on the cells’ growth states and metabolic requirements.
For many years, ICP-MS has been the tool of choice for the trace analysis of elements like lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and copper (Cu) in body fluids such as urine, blood, serum, saliva and also in tissues and bones.
For many years, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been the technique of choice for trace element analysis in biological fluids. Researchers have found correlations between essential element levels and diseases, metabolic disorders, environmental exposures, and nutritional status.