Applications of ICP-MS in Bioanalysis and the Life Sciences

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is an analytical technique that can be used to measure elements at trace levels in a large variety of biological and environmental samples (e.g., fluids, tissues, seeds, soil, water).

Although older techniques such as atomic absorption and atomic emission are still in use by some laboratories, there has been a slow shift toward ICP-MS, particularly in the last decade. From a laboratory perspective, the most important advantage of ICP-MS is the capability to accurately measure trace levels of a wide range of elements simultaneously. Coupled with short analysis time and straightforward sample preparation, this analytical technique offers very high sample throughput in the laboratory. Nutrient levels of chloride, copper, iodine, manganese, iron, selenium, and zinc can be measured in soil, water, plants, as well as human and animal samples. At the same time, toxic levels of metals like arsenic, aluminum, barium, chromium, cadmium, mercury, lead, and nickel can easily be detected and measured quantitatively. This is important in clinical laboratories, environmental research and risk assessments, human and animal health and nutrition, pharmaceutical research and development as well as manufacturing (cGMP), soil and plant health and nutrition, microbiome research, and biopesticide research and development, to name a few.