Journal Article

An Environmentally Compatible and Less Costly (Greener) Microwave Digestion Method of Bone Samples Using Dilute Nitric Acid for Analysis by ICP-MS

Nielsen, Forrest H., Douvris, Chris, Cao, Jay J., Grimestad, Allison, Bussan, Derek D., Kelzenberg, Brett

2024

Overview

An environmentally compatible and less costly (greener) analytical method for the digestion of bone meal samples using microwave-assisted dilute nitric acid (HNO3) was developed and optimized. The method, employing a mixture of 1 mL concentrated HNO3 and 4 mL of deionized water, offered a comparable performance to the conventional method using 5 mL of concentrated HNO3. The accuracy of the method was validated by using certified reference material NIST 1486 (Bone Meal); percentage recoveries were within ±15% for all eight certified elements. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in percentage recoveries between the green and conventional methods for all elements except calcium. The greenness of the developed method was evaluated by using the analytical Eco-Scale, achieving a score of 87, categorizing it as an “excellent green analysis” method. This research highlights the potential for adopting greener practices in trace element analysis that reduce the environmental impact and safety risks associated with concentrated acids.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Accuracy / Acids / analytical methods / Animals / Bone and Bones - chemistry / bone meal / Brief Report / calcium / Calibration / Carbon / digestion / elemental analysis / environmental impact / Gas flow / Green Chemistry Technology - methods / green method / ICP-MS / Laboratories / Mass Spectrometry - methods / Methods / microwave assisted digestion / microwave treatment / Microwaves / nitric acid / Nitric Acid - chemistry / Reference materials / reference standards / statistical analysis / Trace elements / Trace Elements - analysis