Quantitative Elemental Analysis of a Single Cell by Using Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry in Fast Time‐Resolved Analysis Mode
Yuki Tanaka, Risako Iida, Shohei Takada, Tetsuo Kubota, Michiko Yamanaka, Naoki Sugiyama, Yolande Abdelnour, Yasumitsu Ogra
Abstract
The elemental composition of a single yeast, green alga, or red blood cell (RBC) was precisely determined by using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) operating in fast time-resolved analysis (TRA) mode. The technique is known as single-cell (SC)-ICP-MS. Phosphorus, sulfur, magnesium, zinc, and iron were detected in the three types of cell. The elemental composition of yeast and green alga obtained by SC-ICP-MS was consistent with results obtained from conventional ICP-MS measurements following acid digestion of the cells. Slight differences were found in the measured values between SC-ICP-MS and the conventional ICP-MS results for RBC. However, the SC-ICP-MS results for S and Fe in RBC were closer to the estimated values for these elements that were calculated from the level of hemoglobin in RBCs. The data suggest that SC-ICP-MS is suitable for the analysis of various cell types, namely, fungus, plant, and animal cells.