DEVELOPMENT AND COMPLETE VALIDATION OF A SENSITIVE ICP-MS METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF ALUMINIUM IN BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE

Rohit Saxena*, Nimmi Kansal, Mah Alam, Murugesan Suresh

ABSTRACT

Aluminium is one of the most abundant metals in the earth’s crust and is increasingly recognized for its potential toxicological effects in patients with renal impairment, dialysis exposure, parenteral nutrition, and occupational exposure. Accurate determination of trace concentrations of aluminium in biological matrices is analytically challenging due to contamination risks, matrix effects, and spectral interferences associated with the mono-isotopic nature of aluminium (27Al). This study describes the development and validation of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS-iCAP RQplus) method for aluminium quantification in biological samples using a simplified sample preparation approach. Sample preparation consisted of dilution of biological sample with ICPMS grade water to reduce matrix deposition and improve analyte stability. Analytical performance was evaluated according to laboratory internal QAD validation recommendations. The method demonstrated excellent linearity (r² > 0.999), acceptable precision and accuracy (<10% CV), satisfactory recovery (95–105%), and low limits of detection suitable for clinical applications. Optimization of plasma conditions and internal standardization minimized matrix-induced signal suppression and improved analytical robustness. The proposed method provides a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective alternative for routine aluminium monitoring in clinical laboratories.

Keywords: Aluminium, ICP-MS-iCAP RQplus, Trace Elements, Method Validation, QAD, Clinical Chemistry, Toxicology.