Development of methodologies for the determination of species/total elements in food/environmental sample types at a metrological level in order to improve measurement capabilities. Where, possible using isotope dilution techniques including species-specific IDMS to provide primary reference values for the certification of reference materials and CCQM studies. Some examples of method development:
Enzymatic extraction and chromatography for mercury and methyl-mercury using HPLC-ICP-MS species specific isotope dilution to provide primary reference values.
Procedure for the determination of total arsenic in food matrices (fish, bovine liver, herbal medicine) using high accuracy standard addition technique.
LC separation which enables the rapid determination of ultra trace levels of plutonium and uranium isotopes in food and environmental samples.
Microwave assisted acid hydrolysis for the accurate determination of methionine and selenomethionine in animal feed and selenium yeast supplements. Using HPLC-ICP-MS with Xe collision gas enabling species specific isotope dilution analysis.
A method for the simultaneous determination of total P, S, Se and As in food samples employing methane addition to the plasma gas and Xe/hydrogen mix in the collision cell.
A novel ion pair liquid chromatography separation of strontium from rubidium (wine digests). Enabling accurate isotopic Strontium measurements to be made using a multi-collector ICP-MS.
A procedure for the determination of PBDE and PBB (brominated flame retardants) in polymer using ASE extraction and HPLC-ICP-MS detection.
Chromatography and extraction for the simultaneous determination of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in Cr enriched yeast using isotope pattern de-convolution with double spiking species-specific isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS).