Quantitative elemental analysis of a single cell using inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry in fast time‐resolved analysis mode

The elemental composition of a single cell such as yeast, green alga, and red blood cells (RBC) was precisely determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) operating in fast time-resolved analysis (TRA) mode. The technique is known as single cell ICP-MS (SC-ICP-MS). Phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) 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 by 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 RBC. The data suggests that SC-ICP-MS is suitable for the analysis of various cell types, namely, fungus, plant, and animal cells.