Optimization of a microwave-pseudo-digestion procedure by experimental designs for the determination of trace elements in seafood products by atomic absorption spectrometry

A Plackett–Burman 27×3/32 design for seven factors (nitric acid concentration, hydrochloride acid concentration, hydrogen peroxide concentration, acid solution volume, particle size, microwave power, and exposure time to microwave energy) was carried out in order to find the significant variables affecting the metals acid leaching after a pseudo-digestion procedure by microwave energy from mussel. Nitric acid concentration, hydrochloride concentration or hydrogen peroxide, and exposure time to microwave energy were the most significant variables, and a 23+star central composite design was used for their optimization. Nitric and hydrochloric acid concentrations between 4.1 and 5.3 M, and between 2.8 and 3.8 M, respectively, were found as optimum for many elements (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pb and Zn) yielding the acid leaching process for times in the 1.2–2.2 min range. However, As was quantitatively leached with hydrochloric acid concentrations between 4.8 and 5.3 M and an exposure time of 2.0 min, while Co and Se were extracted using nitric acid (1.0 and 5.0 M, respectively) and hydrogen peroxide (5.0 M) solution and an exposure time of 2.0 min. Finally, Hg was extracted using a hydrochloric acid/hydrogen peroxide solution at 3.5:2.0 M, and also for an optimum time of microwave radiation of 1.75 min. Trace metals were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry, electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and cold vapor — atomic absorption spectrometry. The methods were finally applied to several reference materials (DORM-1, DOLT-1 and TORT-1), achieving good accuracy.