Development of a selective methodology for methylmercury quantification and evaluation of its accumulation in hippocampus†

Abstract

Methylmercury (MeHg⁺) is a highly toxic compound with significant neurotoxic effects, necessitating precise and reliable quantification methods for its assessment in biological tissues. In this study, we developed and optimized a methodology combining Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE), derivatization by phenylation, and preconcentration through Liquid Phase Microextraction (LPME), coupled with Gas Chromatography-Pyrolysis-Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry (GC-PYRO-AFS) for the selective quantification of MeHg⁺ in mouse brain tissue. The optimized method demonstrated high sensitivity and reproducibility, enabling the accurate detection of MeHg⁺ at trace levels without significant matrix effects. This methodological advancement is particularly important in the field of toxicology, as it addresses the limitations of traditional techniques by reducing analysis time and cost while improving accuracy. The ability to precisely quantify MeHg⁺ concentrations in biological tissues facilitates the study of toxicokinetic behaviors, the proposal of distribution mechanisms, and the evaluation of toxicological impacts, ultimately contributing to the development of biomarkers for human health risk assessment.