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Simple and sensitive method for the determination of methylmercury in hair using thin-layer chromatography with thermal decomposition gold amalgamation atomic absorption spectrophotometry

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Abstract

An improved method is described for the determination of methylmercury (MeHg) in human hair that is based on thin-layer chromatography and thermal decomposition gold amalgamation atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The dithizone extraction and application procedure of this technique were optimized, thus improving its sensitivity and robustness and enabling the use of less toxic solvents than other approaches. The limit of detection was 0.18 ng MeHg (as Hg), corresponding to 0.018 mg MeHg kg–1 of hair relative to a 10 mg sample. This method is appropriate for detecting MeHg in hair at the approximate reference dose level established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to A. Mochizuki and A. Yokoi of the National Institute for Minamata Disease for their technical assistance. We would like to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of International Affairs and Research, National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, 867-0008, Japan

    Koichi Haraguchi & Akito Matsuyama

  2. International Mercury Laboratory, Inc., 426-2 Fukuro, Minamata, 867-0034, Japan

    Hirokatsu Akagi

Authors
  1. Koichi Haraguchi
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  2. Hirokatsu Akagi
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  3. Akito Matsuyama
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Koichi Haraguchi.

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Advanced Publication Released Online by J-STAGE August 27, 2021.

Supplementary Information

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44211_2021_24_MOESM1_ESM.docx

Analytical conditions of GC-ECD. Table S1: Rf values of Hg dithizonates on preparative thin-layer chromatography silica gel using an acetone mobile phase with n-hexane or petroleum ether and a 70 mm solvent front. Table S2: Rf values of Hg dithizonates and the migration times from the sample application point to the solvent front (70 mm) using a n-hexane:acetone (9:1, v/v) mobile phase. Table S3: Calibration factors for different mass ranges of MeHg within the standard solution. These materials are available free of charge on the Web at http://www.jsac.or.jp/analsci/ (DOCX 29 KB)

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Haraguchi, K., Akagi, H. & Matsuyama, A. Simple and sensitive method for the determination of methylmercury in hair using thin-layer chromatography with thermal decomposition gold amalgamation atomic absorption spectrophotometry. ANAL. SCI. 38, 215–221 (2022). https://doi.org/10.2116/analsci.21P105

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2116/analsci.21P105

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