Highly sensitive quantification of ultratrace As(v) via iEESI-MS

Arsenate (As(v)) is a fatal poison and is widely distributed in the environment. The quick and accurate determination of As(v) is of great importance. Herein, we developed a novel competitive coordination strategy for the quantification of ultratrace As(v) using online internal extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (iEESI-MS). Our strategy demonstrates great success for direct ultratrace As(v) detection in broad types of samples, from solids to liquids, such as food, water and biological samples.

Automated summary

Arsenate (As(v)) is a highly toxic substance found widely in the environment. It is crucial to accurately and quickly determine the concentration of As(v). In this study, we developed a novel competitive coordination strategy using online internal extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (iEESI-MS) for the quantification of ultratrace As(v). Our method showed excellent performance in detecting ultratrace As(v) directly in a wide range of samples, including solids and liquids such as food, water, and biological samples.