2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) 1) Develop robust multi-element methods and quality control materials for trace and ultratrace elements important to human health,. 2)develop method for total vitamin B12 in foods,. 3)develop elemental speciation methods for vitamin B12 (cobalamin),. 4)develop analytical methods for the determination of hemeprotein and heme Fe in meats, and. 5)develop elemental fingerprinting method for food and botanical materials. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Analytical methods for the trace and ultratrace elements will be based on graphite furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Total vitamin B12 and heme Fe will be determined using selective extraction and ICP-AES. Speciation of vitamin B12 will be based on capillary electrophoresis ICP-MS. Elemental fingerprinting methods will use semi-quantitative ICP-MS. 3.Progress Report In the first months of FY2008, a method for the determination of vitamin B12 based on detection of cobalt (Co), a chemical element that is incorporated in the porphyrin ring of the molecule, using an analytical method, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), was investigated. Direct analysis of a chemically digested ready-to-eat dry cereal gave results approximately five-fold higher than the cereal's label value, indicating the possible presence of Co in a form other than vitamin B12. An acidified acetone extraction similar to that used for heme-iron, another porphyrin ring-based compound, initially gave results that were approximately 20% higher compared to the label value. This research was discontinued in January 2008 with the retirement of the support chemist. A replacement support chemist was directed to the vitamin D project in the Laboratory. This research falls under National Program 107 - Human Nutrition, Component 1: Composition of Foods, and Component 3: Nutrition Monitoring. 5.Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations None. 6.Technology Transfer None