Analysis of Plants – 2

Significance of the topic

The determination of trace and major elements in plant materials is essential for agriculture, food safety, environmental monitoring and nutritional research. Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry offers rapid multi-element analysis with high sensitivity and broad dynamic range, enabling reliable quantitation of nutrients and contaminants in botanical samples.

Study objectives and overview

This study evaluated the performance of the ICPE-9000 spectrometer for semi-quantitative screening and full quantitative analysis of three plant reference materials: tea leaf (NIES No.7), olive (BCR CRM-62) and citrus leaf (NIST SRM1572). The main goals were to compare measured values against certified concentrations, assess detection limits and demonstrate method robustness across diverse matrices.

Methodology

Samples were digested by heating with nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and a small amount of hydrofluoric acid. After cooling and volume adjustment, the digests served as analytical solutions. Semi-quantitative analysis provided rapid element screening, while full quantitation employed multi-point calibration curves.

Instrumentation

The ICPE-9000 ICP emission spectrometer was configured as follows:

• RF power 1.2 kW
• Plasma gas flow 10 L/min
• Auxiliary gas 0.6 L/min
• Carrier gas 0.8 L/min
• Sample introduction via coaxial nebulizer, 1.0 mL/min aspiration
• Cyclone mist chamber and mini torch accessory
• Axial and radial detection modes

Main results and discussion

Quantitative results for major and minor elements closely matched certified values, typically within analytical uncertainty (e.g., Ca in tea leaf 3280 vs. 3200 µg/g; K in olive 3300 vs. 3100 µg/g). Detection limits reached sub-µg/g levels for many trace elements. Semi-quantitative profiles demonstrated clear spectral separation for over 40 elements, while calibration curves showed excellent linearity (r ≥ 0.9999) over wide concentration ranges. Characteristic emission lines for Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Sr, Zn, Cu, P, Cr, Ba, Al, Ni and Pb exhibited high signal-to-noise ratios across all matrices.

Practical applications

The method provides a streamlined workflow for routine laboratories in food quality control, environmental surveys and nutritional analysis. Its combination of semi-quantitative screening and precise quantitation reduces sample throughput time, lowers reagent consumption and supports compliance with regulatory standards.

Future trends and potential applications

Advances in plasma source design and detector technology are expected to further enhance sensitivity and reduce interferences. Integration with automated sample preparation systems and data analytics will enable high-throughput monitoring of crops, dietary supplements and environmental samples. Coupling with speciation techniques and isotopic measurements may expand the method’s applicability to emerging research areas.

Conclusion

The ICPE-9000 offers robust, accurate multi-element analysis of plant materials. It delivers reliable quantitation aligned with certified reference values, low detection limits and flexible operation modes. This performance underlines the technique’s suitability for diverse analytical challenges in agricultural, food and environmental sciences.