Analytical Sciences


Abstract − Analytical Sciences, 36(7), 889 (2020).

High-throughput, Multi-batch System for the Efficient Microwave Digestion of Biological Samples
Davide SPANU,* Laura BUTTI,* Ginevra BOLDROCCHI,** Roberta BETTINETTI,** and Damiano MONTICELLI*
*Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy
**Department of Human Sciences and Innovation for the Territory, University of Insubria, Via S. Abbondio 12, 22100 Como (CO), Italy
In this paper, we proposed a high-throughput microwave digestion system based on multi-batch reactors (three quartz test tubes inside commercial PTFE vessels). This original configuration was validated by ICP-MS analysis of several elements in biological certified reference materials (fish tissues and plankton). The proposed system was proved to be free from contamination showing very low LODs. The improved hardware configuration is therefore highly beneficial for the detection of trace elements in microsamples from the marine food web.