DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v26i6.236

Keywords: Rare earth elements; Thorium; Uranium; ICP-MS; lettuce

Abstract

Determination of some rare earth elements (La, Ce, Sm, Eu, and Gd), Th, and U in lettuce was investigated. The elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Good precision for the determination of the elements was achieved. Method validation of the proposed method was performed using NIST SRM 1573a-Tomato Leaves and NIST 1570a-Trace Elements in Spinach Leaves certified reference materials. In this study, the certified reference materials and lettuce samples were acid-digested using microwave digestion system prior to analysis by ICP-MS. The recoveries of all elements were in the range 78.2% – 100.0%. The repeatability and intermediate precisions were less than 5% and 9%, respectively. The determination of La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Gd, Th, and U concentrations in some lettuce samples was also investigated.