title: Multi-element analysis of vegetal foodstuff by means of low power total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry.
abstract: In this work, an analytical methodology in combination with a low power benchtop total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) system has been developed for multi-elemental analysis of vegetal materials. An easy and rapid sample preparation consisting in suspending 20mg of sample in de-ionized water showed to be the most suitable for this kind of samples. However, for comparison purposes, two digestion procedures were also applied. A set of fifteen certified reference materials and three real vegetal samples were employed for the quantitative determination of K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Pb, As and Sn. All the parameters affecting sample preparation and TXRF measurements conditions were carefully evaluated. Accurate and precise results were obtained for mid-high Z elements (Mn-Sr) using internal standardization as quantification approach, while for light Z elements (K and Ca), due to absorption effects, an improvement of analytical results by external calibration was necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Rogerta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dalipi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain. Electronic address: eva.margui@udg.edu.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marguí
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borgese
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Depero
mesh_terms: D005453:Fluorescence; D005504:Food Analysis; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements
keywords: Multi-element analysis; Suspension; TXRF; Vegetal foodstuff