X-Ray Fluorescence in Biological Sciences. Группа авторов

Preface

      X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy is a well‐established analytical technique being used extensively for mining, metallurgy, petroleum, and geological studies, though not widely used for biological applications. During the past decade, XRF spectrometry has gone through major changes in the field of biological sciences. This book is a guide which provides an up‐to‐date review of XRF spectrometry for biological, medical, food, environmental, and plant science researchers. It covers the basic principles and latest developments in instrumentation and applications of X‐ray fluorescence in biological sciences. This also provides a thoroughly updated and expanded overview to industry professionals in X‐ray analysis over the last decades. The main feature of this book is that it provides information about XRF techniques and procedures for qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological specimens worth modern applications and industrial trends.

      The chapters are contributed by independent groups in the world. Four chapters are contributed by the members of editorial advisory board of the journal “X‐Ray Spectrometry” from Wiley. The chapters are divided into six parts. Part 1 is a general introduction of XRF. Parts 2 and 3 are most advanced methods of SR‐XRF and TXRF, which are micro‐XRF, high sensitivity (low detection limit) XRF. Part 4, a beginner’s guide, is one of the characteristics of the present book. Parts 5 and 6 are the main parts of the present book.

      Part I (General Introduction) consists of seven (07) chapters. Chapter 1 describes about the XRF and comparison with other analytical methods such as AAS, ICP‐AES, LA‐ICP‐MS, IC, LIBS, SEM‐EDS, and XRD. Chapter 2 highlights the significant role of different XRF configurations for both multi‐elemental bulk analysis and element distribution within vegetal tissues. In Chapter 3, the application of XRF analysis is described for the chemical compositions of tea and coffee samples. Chapter 4 deals with total reflection X‐ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry and its suitability for biological samples. In this chapter, the fundamentals, basic principles, and theoretical aspects of TXRF have been discussed along with its advantages and limitations. Chapter 5 describes the use and application of μ‐XRF and XANES to understand the interaction process and mechanism between microorganisms and heavy metal. Chapter 6 covers the details of EDXRF techniques for the application to clinical samples such as blood and hair. In Chapter 7, all considerations related with the sample preparation process are summarized which is very crucial for XRF analysis.

Part II (Synchrotron Radiation XRF) consists of five (05) chapters which show how Synchrotron Radiation XRF (SRXRF) can be used to provide analytical information in biological sciences for elemental composition. Chapter 8 covers numerous aspects of SRXRF and its applications. This chapter highlights the usefulness of XRF technique for the elemental characterization of different sample matrixes in non‐destructive manners. Chapter 9 deals with the application of SR‐based micro‐XRF spectroscopy for plants. Chapter 10 covers the application of μ‐XRF to study toxic elements in plants. Chapter 11 highlights the application of micro‐XRF for the analysis of benthonic fauna (earthworm and nematodes) in soils and sediments. Chapter 12 discusses in detail the use of SRXRF for the analysis of microelements in biopsy tissues.

      Part III (Total Reflection XRF) consists of four (04) chapters which describe in detail the principles and basic fundamentals of total reflection XRF (TXRF) along with their biological applications. Chapter 13 covers the applications of TXRF for the trace element determinations in marine organisms, blood samples, saliva and oral fluids, hairs, nails, kidney stones, urine samples, and forensic samples. Chapter 14 demonstrates the applications of combined X‐ray reflectivity ( XRR ) and grazing incidence X‐ray fluorescence (GIXRF) technique for the characterization of thin films and nano‐structured materials. Chapter 15 deals with the analysis of alcoholic and non‐alcoholic beverages by TXRF. Chapter 16 describes the details of using TXRF and XRT techniques for trace elemental analysis of blood and serum samples.

      Part IV (Beginner's Guide) consists of four (04) chapters which cover the basics theory of XRF and historical fundamentals of XRF instruments, quantitative analysis methods, electronics and instrumentation, methods of using XRF to study biological samples. Chapter 17 introduces the atomic physics of the XRF spectrometry which is very useful for beginners to learn for its applications. Chapter 18 includes general principles, production, and detectors of X‐ray waves. Chapter 19 introduces general discussion on quantitative analysis methods and procedures which is the principal subject of XRF spectroscopy. Chapter 20 deals with the crucial aspects concerning the operation and optimization of electronics for X‐ray detection and fluorescence spectrometry.

      Part V (Application to Biological Samples) consists of eleven (11) chapters which include the different biological applications of XRF spectrometry. Chapter