Effect of microwave decomposition on inductively coupled plasma spectrometry analysis of minerals in oysters

Abstract

Oysters, which can be cultivated in oceans, are rich in nutrients. Recently, our group has reported the rapid analysis of multiple minerals in Crassostrea gigas oysters by employing microwave decomposition combined with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). In this study, different oysters (e.g., Crassostrea nippona) were used, and calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium contents were estimated by microwave digestion using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The addition of nitric acid with a stepwise increase in the microwave decomposition temperature to 230 °C led to the effective estimation of multiple minerals. The potassium content was estimated by the mere addition of acids to the oyster sample for ICP-AES analysis. These results can be possibly beneficial for the analysis of other creatures and foods including the choice of the location in the oceans at which oysters can be grown for the purpose of increasing food production in future.