Effect of sample preparation procedure for the determination of As, Sb and Se in fruit juices by HG-ICP-OES

Various sample preparation procedures for the simultaneous determination of As, Sb and Se in fruit juices by hydride generation inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (HG-ICP-OES) were examined. Applicability of total wet digestion with HNO3/H2O2, partial decomposition (solubilisation in aqua regia), 1:1 dilution with 2% (v/v) HNO3 and direct analysis were evaluated. Hydrides were generated in the reaction of an acidified sample with NaBH4 after pre-reduction with KI–ascorbic acid for total As and Sb, and boiling with HCl for total Se. Best results, i.e. limits of detection (LODs) of 0.51–0.73 ng mL−1, precision (RSD) within 1.7–3.6% and recoveries for spiked samples between 101% and 106% were found using aqua regia treatment. This procedure simplifying and improving sample preparation step prior to As, Sb and Se measurements in fruit juices by HG-ICP-OES, thus could be adequate for the routine analysis in terms of the quality control of these drinks.