Elimination of chloride interference on the determination of selenium in serum by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

The presence of chloride ions in sample solutions may cause interferences in the determination of certain elements (particularly V, Cr and As) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This may be problematic in clinical samples such as tissue, protein and urine where the measurement of elements, present at physiologically active levels, can be impaired by these spectral interferences. A procedure is described whereby a chromatographic separation is employed to de-salt serum samples, rendering a sample solution free of chloride. Using this procedure, ICP-MS can be used to measure the Se content of serum solution accurately without interference.