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Heavy metals in agricultural produce and water may exist at very low concentrations but still require accurate detection and quantification for quality control. As analytical demands rise, laboratory capability depends not only on equipment but also on the ability to develop, validate, and operate appropriate methods.

In response, Can Tho Fertilizer and Chemical Joint Stock Company is researching and developing a modern analytical method using ICP-MS, gradually enhancing its capacity to determine heavy metal elements in agricultural produce and water.

From Practical Needs to New Analytical Methods

Elements such as As, Cd, Pb, Hg, and Ni must be controlled in various agricultural products and water sources. For samples containing heavy metals at ppm, and even ppb levels, accurate detection requires highly sensitive methods and suitable sample preparation procedures.

Prompted by practical testing needs, the company’s research team began the project in March 2026. The focus has been on developing analytical methods tailored to individual sample groups, rather than simply introducing new equipment.

ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) is a technique that enables the simultaneous determination of multiple elements at very low concentrations. Building on this technology, the team has been developing a method to determine As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Ni, and other elements in agricultural produce and water.

Work has included selecting techniques, sampling and processing, setting analytical conditions, establishing calibration curves, and defining the necessary methodological parameters.

Mastering the Method Through Validation

A crucial part of the project lies in evaluating whether the method meets analytical requirements. The research team assessed linearity, accuracy, repeatability, detection limits, quantification limits, and also considered matrix effects and potential interferences.

These criteria ensure the method can detect and quantify elements at low concentrations, while also evaluating the stability of results in repeated analyses.

Developing a method step-by-step, from sample preparation and equipment setup to evaluation and validation, enables the laboratory to create analytical processes suited to the company’s practical conditions.

This represents the difference between simply owning analytical equipment and mastering analytical methodology. Equipment provides the tool, while the method determines how that tool is used to produce reliable results.

Towards Official Implementation

The project is currently in the pilot operation, evaluation, and validation stage. Initial results indicate that the method can simultaneously analyse multiple heavy metals at low concentrations, with sensitivity, repeatability, and accuracy meeting quality control requirements.

Results are being further validated and refined prior to official implementation.

Concurrently, the company is preparing documentation to extend the laboratory’s ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation to new parameters. Such expansion will provide a basis for assessing the laboratory’s capability and the reliability of results for accredited tests.

Once the method is finalised and reliably operating, the company will be more proactive in testing agricultural produce, water, and other relevant samples; reducing the need to send samples externally, shortening turnaround times, and lowering analysis costs.

The scope of research may also be expanded to other sample types and elements, serving quality control, product research, and the laboratory’s analytical capacity development.
Raising Technological Capability from a Research Task

The project “Development and application of modern analytical methods for determining heavy metals in agricultural produce and water” demonstrates Can Tho Fertilizer and Chemical Joint Stock Company’s research approach: starting from practical need, selecting appropriate technology, independently developing methods, and validating before use.

Developing modern analytical methodology enables the company to incrementally raise its testing capability, take greater initiative in quality control, and better serve analytical requirements in the future.

This is a specific task that links scientific research with production, in line with the drive to promote science, technology, and innovation as set out in Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW.