Plant Microelement and Macroelement Analysis Service

Reliable Plant Micro- and Macroelement Analysis Service at Creative Biolabs

Biomass usually contains various microelements and macroelements. Analysis of micro and macroelements in plant biomass can provide important information that helps optimize agricultural production, assess the level of contamination in soil, study and control the quality of agricultural and food industry products, and ensure product safety. Creative Biolabs has accumulated rich project experience in the field of Biomass Profiling. We respond quickly to client needs and provide high-quality Plant Biomass Profiling services, including Pigment Profiling, Cell Wall Analysis, Vitamin Profiling, and element analysis.

Analysis of micro and macroelements in plant biomass typically requires the following steps:

• Sample collection and preparation

We collect representative samples from plants such as leaves, stems, or roots. Place the sample in a well-ventilated environment to dry, and remove excess moisture to a constant weight. The dried sample is then ground into powder using a mortar or grinder to increase the uniformity and solubility of the sample.

• Sample digestion

We determine the most suitable sample digestion method according to the sample type, required elements, and the requirements of the subsequent analytical method.

• Wet digestion: We mix the sample with strong acids (such as nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid, etc.) and heat it for digestion. This method is suitable for most plant samples and effectively converts organic matter into inorganic forms. After the sample is digested, the acid residue needs to be processed to avoid affecting subsequent analysis.
• Dry digestion: We digest the sample through high-temperature combustion to oxidize the organic matter in the sample into gas, and finally obtain ash. This method is suitable for specific element requirements or experimental purposes, such as carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen element analysis.
• Microwave digestion: We place the sample in a microwave digestion tube, add appropriate digestion reagents, and digest the sample through a microwave digestion instrument. Microwave digestion helps to improve sample solubility and digestion efficiency.

• Sample dilution

We process the digested sample by dilution or other methods to make the element concentration in the sample suitable for subsequent analysis.

• Elemental analysis

Digested plant biomass samples are analyzed for elements by a variety of analytical methods, such as:

• Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS): It performs elemental analysis by measuring the ability of specific metal elements in a sample to absorb light of specific wavelengths. Elements that can be analyzed include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, iron, nickel, manganese, and other metal elements.
• Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES): It determines the element content by atomizing the sample, generating a high-temperature plasma, and analyzing the spectral lines of specific wavelengths emitted by the plasma. In addition to the elements that can be analyzed in AAS, it also analyzes elements such as phosphorus, aluminum, boron, and silicon.
• Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS): It atomizes and ionizes the sample, and then uses a mass spectrometer instrument to analyze elements. ICP-MS is more sensitive than ICP-OES, can detect elements at lower concentrations, and is more flexible in multi-element analysis, such as antimony, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, molybdenum, titanium, and vanadium.

• Data processing

We add standard reference materials during the analysis process to ensure analytical accuracy. Moreover, the data obtained from the analysis are processed and analyzed, and the contents of various elements and related information are recorded.

Creative Biolabs pays attention to the latest biomass analysis technologies and methods, continuously improves technology, and is committed to providing clients with better biomass analysis services. If you would like to obtain plant biomass-related analysis services, please do not hesitate to contact us for a quotation. We will provide you with unparalleled analysis services.

Published data

Appropriate levels of nutrients help promote plant growth and development, and the levels of these elements are affected by factors such as environment, climate, and soil. To evaluate the impact of seasonal changes on elemental content in subtropical plants, the authors collected leaf samples of 31 tree layer plants and 10 shrub layer plants in the wet and dry seasons. After grinding, sieving, and diluting nitric acid digestion, the contents of major and trace elements in these leaves were determined using ICP-MS. The research results showed that K and Mg changes in plant leaves in the tree layer were more significant than those in the shrub layer (Figures (a) and (d)), while Ca and Na have no significant changes (Figures (b) and (c)). In terms of microelements, the degree of change in Mn in plant leaves in the tree layer was smaller than that in the shrub layer (Figure e), while other elements (Figures f-h) did not change significantly. Changes in the content of these elements were affected by seasonal climate, which provided an important basis for predicting the adaptability of plants under environmental changes in dry and wet seasons.

Fig.1 The ratios of four macroelements (a-d) and microelements (e-h) in tree and shrub leaves.¹

FAQs

Q1: What micro and macroelements can be analyzed in my biomass sample?

A1: We analyze your samples for a range of micro and macroelements, including but not limited to iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium, etc. We provide corresponding elemental analysis services according to your needs and research purposes.

Q2: Is the content of these elements related to the source, processing method, or type of biomass?

A2: Yes, the source, processing method, and type of biomass will affect the elemental content in it. We will provide you with professional analysis services according to the sample information and research background you provide, and help explain the correlation between elemental content and biomass properties.

Q3: Can you provide custom microelement analysis solutions for different types of biomass samples?

A3: Yes, we will design a customized microelement analysis plan for you according to your biomass sample type and research needs to meet your specific requirements.

Customer Review

Reference

1. Yu, Zheng-Chao, et al. "Different responses of macro-and microelement contents of 41 subtropical plants to environmental changes in the wet and dry seasons." Journal of Plant Ecology 16.6 (2023): rtad027.

Related Services:

1. Plant Pigment Profiling
2. Plant Cell Wall Composition Analysis
3. Plant Vitamins Content Profiling