ICP-MS Detects Sulphur Isotopes

Scientists belonging to the analytical spectrometry research group at the University of Oviedo in Asturias, Spain are focusing on the development of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICPMS) based analytical methods for the quantification of biopolymers such as DNA and proteins.

One of the principal issues faced by the group is the interference from gas-based polyatomics such as oxygen in the determination of sulfur when using a low resolution instrument.

The research group has coupled a Thermo Scientific ICP-MS with a reversed-phase capillary liquid chromatography system to facilitate precise determination of sulfur isotopes in standard proteins.

Research group member Dr Jörg Bettmer said: “The implementation of the instrument has allowed us to achieve reliable, interferencefree detection of sulphur isotopes. It has enabled us to determine sulphur-containing standard proteins in an accurate and efficient manner that had not been previously possible."