Quantification of four arsenic species in fruit juices by ion-chromatography–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry

Abstract

A method using ion chromatography–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (IC–ICP–MS) for the quantification of arsenic species in fruit juices has been developed and validated. The method is capable of quantifying four anionic arsenic species – arsenite (As(III)), arsenate (As(V)), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) – in the presence of unretained species such as arsenobetaine (AsB). Method validation was based on repeatability, analysis of reference materials, recovery of fortified samples, and determination of detection and quantification limits. The method was tested for use with apple, pear, cranberry, grape (red, white and purple) juices, as well as several juice blends. Limits of detection were 0.35, 0.41, 0.45 and 0.70 µg kg⁻¹ for As(III), DMA, MMA and As(V), respectively. Chromatographic recovery was good for most samples (90–107% compared to total arsenic), though recovery for some grape juice samples was lower (67–78%).

Keywords:

• ICP/MS
• HPLC
• trace elements (toxic)
• heavy metals
• arsenic
• metals speciation
• toxic elements
• fruit juices

Acknowledgements

Peter Chen is an undergraduate student at Boston University, Boston, MA. This project was supported by an appointment of Peter to the Research Fellowship Program of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) administered by the Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education. The authors thank John Cheng and Bill Mindak for many helpful discussions.