A research team at the Wadsworth Center, led by Dr. George Donati, has developed a new method for extracting trace metals from biological samples without using concentrated mineral acids. The method is described in the Microchemical Journal on November 7, 2025. It uses ultrasound energy and hydrogen peroxide to release metals from plant and animal tissues. The process produces only oxygen and water as byproducts.
The technique was co-authored by Professor Jemmyson de Jesus from the Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil, and Dr. Karl Yang. It offers an alternative to traditional microwave digestion methods, which often require high temperatures and produce hazardous chemical waste. The new process uses an ultrasonic bath at 60°C with 25% hydrogen peroxide. This reduces energy use and environmental impact.
Tests showed that the acid-free method recovers 81–110% of metals such as copper, iron, and zinc from biological samples like fish tissue. The method is sensitive and can measure trace metals at parts-per-billion levels. It works with sample sizes as small as 20 mg…