Journal of Analytical & Bioanalytical Techniques
Open Access

Abstract

Geo-REX is a powerful tool for analyzing the heavy metals in soils and plants. Since 2005 we developed our new micro cartridge type compact heavy metal measuring system "Geo-REX " that did not use mercury at all to enable soil and plant analyses for on site and measured heavy metals of the whole soil or plant extracts. As for this new instrument, the detection department fits into a microcartridge entirely. After injected a 5 ml of sample in a cartridge, it is automatic. A new instrument can change a cartridge at every analysis. Geo-REX can measure noxious heavy metals, Pb, Cd, As, Se, Hg, by exchange of a specific cartridge. Recently, the cadmium of paddy-rice and the heavy metals of the soils have become an important issue in Japan. In particular, land pollution investigation must be conducted more rapidly. In the official methods, a water dissolution test for 24 hrs is used. Quantitative analysis of heavy metals is performed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) or Inductively Coupled Plasma spectroscopy (ICP). However, it takes several days until preliminary treatment and the measurement results are available. In this study, we compared the official method using AAS or with our new quick heavy metal measuring system based on voltammetry method. Then we considered whether analysis of cadmium on paddy-rice investigation was possible. As for the measurement of heavy metals by microcartridge type electrochemistry analysis machine, measurement was possible in lower than 10 ppb which was Japanese reference value easily, and manipulation were simple and easy.

Biography

Akiyoshi Sawabe is an Associate Professor at Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Kinki University, Japan. He worked on his Ph.D. from 1985 to 1990 in the field of natural products chemistry under the direction of Professor Yoshiharu Matsubara of Kinki University. He has published more than 100 papers and is the director and editorial board member of American Society for Enology and Viticulture, Japan Chapter