[en] Selected techniques were reviewed for the assay of trace and minor elements in biological materials. Other relevant information is also presented on the need for such analyses, sampling, sample preparation and analytical quality control. In order to evaluate and compare the applicability of the various analytical techniques on a meaningful and objective basis, the materials chosen for consideration were intended to be typical of a wide range of biological matrics of different elemental compositions, namely Bowen's kale, representing a plant material, and NBS bovine liver, IAEA animal muscle, and blood serum, representing animal tissues. The subject is reviewed under the following headings: on the need for trace element analyses in the life sciences (4 papers); sampling and sample preparation for trace element analysis (2 papers); analytical techniques for trace and minor elements in biological materials (7 papers); analytical quality control (2 papers)

[en] The applicability is summarized of atomic absorption spectroscopy, chemical methods, electrochemical methods, emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, neutron activation analysis, and particle-induced X-ray emission analysis to the determination of 28 minor and trace elements of recognized biological interest in four biological reference materials - Bowen's kale, NBS borine liver (SRM 1577), animal muscle (H-4), and human blood serum. Out of the 28 selected elements (As, Be, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Tl, U, V, Zn), 26 can be determined by neutron activation analysis, 22 by atomic absorption spectroscopy, 13 by mass spectrometry, 11 by chemical or electrochemical methods, 10 by emission spectroscopy and 3 by X-ray methods of analysis

[en] The applicability of the method of reactor-flux thermal-neutron activation analysis (NAA) to the assay of biological materials for their trace element contents is considered. Theory of neutron activation method, instrumentation and techniques used in NAA are briefly presented. For illustration the analysis of four biological reference materials (Bowen's kale, NBS borine liver, IAEA animal muscle H-4 and blood serum) for 28 trace elements of particular interest is summarized

[en] The applicability of spark source mass spectrometry, isotope dilution mass spectrometry, and secondary ion mass spectrometry to the determination of trace elements in specific biological materials is assessed. Theory and scientific principles of these spectrometric techniques and methods of sample preparation are presented. Spark source mass spectrometry is particularly useful for simultaneous trace analysis for survey purposes. It is possible to determine more than 33 elements in biological samples with high sensitivity and with accuracies and precisions of the order of +- 10% or better. Isotope dilution mass spectrometry is primarily used in the determination of selected trace elements in biological samples with high accuracy and precision of the order of +- 0.1%. Seconardy ion mass spectrometry shows considerable potential for studying the distribution of trace elements in biological tissue and allows the determination of many elements in the ppM range

[en] Basic principles of particle-induced X-ray emission analysis (PIXE) are presented and the applicability of the method for the determination of trace elements in biological materials is assessed. Main advantages of analysis by PIXE are a) the simplicity and speed of sample preparation, which is usually of the order of a few minutes and b) the speed of analysis, which requires 1-10 min irradiation time and a few minutes for the analysis of the spectrum by a computer. The method is non-destructive and can even be used in vivo. The sensitivity for the analysis of a sample without any prior concentration is of the order of 1 mg/kg and is uniform for all elements above sodium. Better sensitivity can be achieved, however, in specific applications with special procedures (pre-concentration, etc.). The absolute amount of an element that can be detected is of the order of 10^-12 to 10^-15 g. A disadvantage is the small penetration of the primary beam in the target material which means that the method can only be applied for surface analysis. Other limitations of the method are an overlapping of the various peaks caused by insufficient detector resolution and matrix effects in general. The detection of the very light elements (up to carbon) is impossible, and that of the light elements from carbon to phosphorus very difficult and not very accurate