ARS | Publication request: ICP-MS for isotope ratio measurement

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: January 10, 2010
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Citation: Abrams, S.A., Chen, Z. 2010. ICP-MS for isotope ratio measurement. In: Gross, M.L., Caprioli, R.M., editors-in-chief. The Encyclopedia of Mass Spectrometry: Elemental and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry. Volume 5. Oxford, UK: Elsevier. p. 869-881.

Technical Abstract: The use of stable isotopes in mineral nutrition research has become a fundamental aspect of conducting this research. A gradual transition has occurred, now virtually complete, from radioactive isotope studies to those using stable isotopes. Although primarily used in human research, mineral stable isotopes – principally calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc are increasingly being utilized in animal and even cell research. These isotopes are used to assess mineral absorption, evaluate rates of turnover and excretion of minerals, and assess the effects on mineral homeostatis of disease processes and dietary manipulations. Analysis of isotope ratios in biological samples is currently done almost exclusively using mass spectrometry. Previously, neutron activation analysis was also used, but this is rarely used now. Biological samples that are analyzed include blood, urine, fecal and even saliva samples. The two principal mass spectrometry approaches used are thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the topic of this article. The methodological issues in using a single-collector high-resolution magnetic sector field ICP-MS for mineral stable isotope analysis from biological samples will be considered.