Major
Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Anticipated Graduation Year
2022
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
This project seeks to examine the reproducibility of a previously established method used to quantify heavy metals in organic and inorganic samples. Balsamic vinegar has the potential to contain traces of heavy metals due to its long aging process involving wooden barrels. Therefore, this study will examine heavy metal concentrations in balsamic vinegar samples using the spectroscopic analyte quantification method. Heavy metal analysis is performed using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (GFAAS) and Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) Spectrometry. The heavy metals copper and magnesium were spiked in balsamic vinegar samples and underwent microwave-assisted acid digestion prior to spectrometric testing.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Martina Schmeling, Dr., Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Michelle Lund, Graduate Student, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Balsamic Vinegar Reproducibility Study of Heavy Metal Quantification Method Using Spectral Analysis
This project seeks to examine the reproducibility of a previously established method used to quantify heavy metals in organic and inorganic samples. Balsamic vinegar has the potential to contain traces of heavy metals due to its long aging process involving wooden barrels. Therefore, this study will examine heavy metal concentrations in balsamic vinegar samples using the spectroscopic analyte quantification method. Heavy metal analysis is performed using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (GFAAS) and Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) Spectrometry. The heavy metals copper and magnesium were spiked in balsamic vinegar samples and underwent microwave-assisted acid digestion prior to spectrometric testing.