Optimization of Heavy Metal Tracing by Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence: The Experts’ Tips

Recently, innovative approaches on total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) have been developed, such as benchtop models. These advancements offer simplified sample preparation, rapid system calibration, and time measurement. TXRF has been used in many different fields, particularly environmental chemistry and food analysis, where it is used to detect trace levels of toxic elements in various matrices such as sediments, water, plant, and animal tissues, with detection limit as low as picograms. For the determination of mercury, a prior sample preconcentration using EDTA is mandatory in TXRF analysis. Herein, we describe a protocol to determine the levels of Hg in seafood, using sample preparation with EDTA and further determination using TXRF.