ICP-MS determination of trace elements of different growth time in the leaves of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major

A rapid inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with semiquantitative modes of analysis using Li, Y, Ce, Tl and Co for external calibration of the equipment was developed to simultaneously determine 53 trace elements in the leaves of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major. Samples were analyzed directly following an acid digestion with 5 ml of conc. HNO3 by the microwave digestion system. The analytical data were obtained over a wide range from 30418.701 ng g(-1) of K to 0.759 pg g(-1) of Ta. The results indicated that the quality of the leaves could be effectively evaluated according to the distributions of the trace element in the leaves from different growth stages.