红花对土壤矿质元素的吸收和积累

采用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法(ICP-AES)检测红花不同部位和时期以及栽培土壤中K、Ca、Na、Mg、Fe、Cu、Zn、Mn、Cr、Cd、Pb、Ba、Ni和Al元素的含量。结果表明:红花各部位矿质元素含量差异明显。在红花各不同部位中K、Fe、Zn元素在幼苗中含量最高,Ca、Mg元素在成熟叶中含量最高,Cu元素在种子中含量最高;而K和Ca元素在种子中含量最低,Mg、Fe、Cu和Zn元素分别在花、茎、成熟叶和茎中含量最低。红花的幼苗和花对K元素吸收积累明显,幼苗和种子对Cu元素吸收积累明显,Ca元素在成熟叶中积累较多,相应元素含量远比土壤中相应的元素含量高。红花对土壤不同矿质元素的吸收利用差异较大,在长期栽培红花的土壤中应注意对吸收利用多的元素结合施肥进行补充。     

珍稀濒危植物矮牡丹体内矿质元素的研究

采用原子吸收分光光度法测定了矮牡丹体内的10种矿质元素,即K,Mg,Mn,Fe,Ni,Zn,Cu,Cd,Cr,Pb。分析了矿质元素在矮牡丹体内的分布规律及矮牡丹对各种元素的富集能力。结果表明：在不同器官中的矿质元素含量有显著差异,K,Mg,Mn,Ni,Cd,Cr,Pb以叶中为高,Fe,Zn,Cu分别以根,茎,叶柄中含量最高;大多数元素在中柄中含量最低,矮牡丹对K,Mg,Mn,Fe,Zn有较强的吸收富集能力,一般叶的富集系数较其它器官为高,元素间相关分析表明：Zn,Cd,Cr,Pb,Mn,Fe,Ni,Cu之间有显著的相关性,K,Mg之间的相关性显著,此外,土壤与植物体内元素含量表现出显著的相关性。     

微波消解-FAAS法分析并比较旱芹(Apium graveolens L.)不同部位八种金属元素的含量

采用微波消解法处理旱芹根、茎、叶,并用火焰原子吸收法测定其中的Na、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn、Zn、Cu 8种金属元素的含量。结果表明:旱芹中富含人体必需的Na、K、Mg、Fe、Ca等元素,各元素在不同部位含量有一定差异。Fe元素在旱芹根中含量为883.57μg.g-1,明显高于茎和叶;Ca、Zn和Mn元素在旱芹叶中的含量分别为11 103.74,214.04,88.07μg.g-1,明显高于茎和根;K、Na和Mg元素在旱芹茎中的含量高于根和叶中,Cu元素含量在各部位差异不大。方法的加标回收率为96.8%～105.8%,相对标准偏差(RSD)≤3.36%。     

棘茎楤木不同器官营养成分初步研究

对棘茎楤木不同器官养分进行分析,结果表明,棘茎楤木叶片中可溶性蛋白质和可溶性糖含量分别达60.40,15.41 g/kg,是茎皮的3.4和2.9倍,是根皮的4.5和3.0倍.叶片齐墩果酸含量最高,达179.42 mg/kg,分别是茎皮和根皮的1.6和1.7倍.棘茎楤木不同器官营养元素平均含量总体表现为K＞Mg＞ Ca ＞Mn ＞Zn＞ Fe＞Na＞ Cu.根皮中K、Ca、Fe、Cu含量较高,而茎皮中的Mg、Mn、Zn含量高于根皮和叶,Na的含量以叶片为高.     

公路绿化植物油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)和小叶杨(Populus simonii)对重金属元素的吸收与积累

对内蒙古西部公路绿化植物油松（Pinus tabulaeformis）、小叶杨（Populus simonii）及其根际土壤中重金属元素（Cd、Hg、Pb、Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr）和类金属元素（As和Se）含量以及根际土壤重金属（Cu、Zn、Pb、Ni和Cr）形态、土壤pH值进行了测定。对比分析了公路沿线不同绿化植物及其不同器官对重金属元素的吸收与积累特征。结果表明：绿化植物根际土壤对重金属元素的吸附及污染程度以Cd为最高。随原子序数的递增,小叶杨和油松两种植物的根部和茎叶两种营养器官中重金属的含量均表现出“N”字形变动趋势。而且重金属元素在不同植物不同器官中的含量具有Zn〉Cu〉Ni,Cr,As,Pb〉Cd〉Hg的基本规律。小叶杨茎叶对重金属元素Cr、Ni和Pb的富集能力较根部为强,油松茎叶对重金属元素Cr、Ni、Cu和Pb的富集能力较根部为强。绿化植物根际土壤重金属元素有效态占总量百分比的大小序列为Zn〉Pb〉Ni、Cr〉Cu,与重金属元素在不同植物不同器官中的含量大小序列Zn〉Cu〉Ni、Cr、As、Pb〉Cd〉Hg并非趋于一致。公路绿化植物对根际土壤中重金属元素的吸收和积累与重金属元素有效态所占的比例有关。     

水位变化对三峡库区消落带狗牙根种群营养特征的影响

为探讨三峡库区大尺度、反季节水位变化对消落带狗牙根种养元素吸收和分配特征的影响, 分别测定了三个样带的营养元素含量。结果表明: 根、茎、叶中大量元素含量顺序为N>K>P, 中量元素含量顺序为Ca>S>Mg, 微量元素为Fe>Zn>Cu>Mn。根系对K、Mg、S、Fe、Mn、Zn 的吸收均被促进, 而对P 和Ca 的吸收被显著抑制, 低水位根系对N、Cu 的吸收也被显著促进。高水位茎和叶中N、P、K、Mg、S、Cu 的含量呈降低趋势, Ca、Fe、Mn 含量呈显著增大趋势, 且茎中Zn 含量也呈增加趋势。随着水位的降低N、P、K、Mg、S、Zn 含量显著增加, 在叶片中的含量显著大于根、茎, 而Fe、Mn、Cu 表现出主要向茎分布的趋势, 且Ca 在叶中的分配显著被抑制, 而在茎中的分配被促进。随着水位降低新叶中N、P、K、Mg、S 的含量明显高于老叶, 而Fe、Ca、Mn、Zn 和Cu 则相反。随着分枝级数增大N、P、K 的含量呈递增趋势, Ca、Cu、Fe、Zn 呈递减趋势, 而Mg、S 含量呈“∨”形变化。因此, 库区水位已导致消落狗牙根种群营养特征发生显著的变化。     

浙江雪胆几种金属元素分布及其与土壤养分之间的关系

对浙江雪胆各器官主要金属元素分布及其与土壤养分之间的关系进行了研究,结果表明,1)浙江雪胆原生土壤中Fe元素的含量最高,其次是K元素,Mn和Zn含量较低;2)植物的各器官中,均以K元素含量最高,其次是Ca和Mg,微量元素Fe、Mn和Zn含量均相对较低;3)Fe、Mn和Zn 3种微量元素均以根中含量为最高,Mg和Ca元素均以块茎中较高,K则以叶中最高;4)同一器官元素分布均呈正相关,而不同器官之间的元素分布整体上呈负相关;5)根中Mg、K和Ca均与土壤元素含量整体上呈负相关,块茎中元素均与土壤元素含量均呈正相关,叶中除Fe元素外,其他元素均与土壤元素含量均呈负相关;6)各器官大量元素的富集系数较高。     

奉节脐橙不同器官元素含量分布特征

对奉节脐橙果、叶、干、根中的必需大量元素 (N、K、Ca、Mg、P、S)、微量元素 (Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn、B、Mo)、有益元素 (Si、Co、F、Se、Ni、Sr)、有毒有害元素 (Hg、As、Cr、Cd、Pb、Sb、Bi)的分布特征进行分析 ,结果表明 :果、叶、干、根对各元素的吸收与富集特征具有明显的规律性 ,如叶、干、根中大量元素含量次序均为 Ca>N>K>Mg,叶、干、根中微量元素含量均有 Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu>Mo的规律 ,根、干、叶中有益微量元素含量次序均为 Si>Sr>F>Ni>Co>Se,叶、干、根中有毒有害元素含量次序均有 Pb>As>Sb >Hg的规律 ;在脐橙各器官中 ,叶是大量元素与有毒有害元素最富集的器官 ,根则是有益元素最富集的器官 ,有毒有害元素的 Cr、微量元素的 Mn、Fe、Mo也以根最为富集 ,干则是上述元素最不富集的器官 ,所有元素中 ,仅 Zn在干中最富集 ;大量元素 (除 N外 )、微量元素、有益元素在脐橙各器官的分配含量与地壳土壤背景值的分异含量趋势基本一致 ,土壤背景是这三类元素的主要控制因素。但有毒有害元素的分配形式则明显受人类活动的影响     

深圳福田红树植物群落特征及金属元素分布状况

通过对深圳福田红树林群落特征的研究,对红树植物的区系组成、群落的外貌和结构、群落的主要类型和分布进行了概述,并对该红树林中的桐花树+秋茄+白骨壤+老鼠簕+海漆混交群落林地土壤和红树植物的金属元素分布进行分析。结果发现,该林地土壤金属元素含量分布具有一定规律性,元素K、Na、Ca、Mg在各层土壤中分布均匀;必需金属元素Fe、Mn在各层土壤中含量变化不明显;非必需重金属元素Cr、Ni、Pb、Hg、Cd和必需元素Zn、Cu含量从底层至表层逐步提高;金属元素在该林地红树植物中分布也具有一定规律性,元素K、Na、Ca、Mg在五种红树植物的不同部位均大量存在;必需金属元素Fe、Mn、Zn、Cu在各种红树植物中含量FeMnZnCu;非必需重金属元素Cr、Ni、Pb、Hg、Cd在各种红树植物中含量表现出差异性,秋茄和海漆中Ni含量较大,白骨壤中Pb含量最大,桐花树中Cr含量最大,老鼠簕Cu含量最大,Cd和Hg在五种红树植物中含量都最低;植物中金属元素含量分布和土壤中金属元素含量分布具有相关性。     

硼在梨树苗不同部位的分布及与其他元素分配的关系

以‘翠冠'梨树苗为试验材料,采用微波消解提取灰分结合等离子发射光谱仪测定法,研究硼(B)添加对梨不同部位B分布及对P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Zn、Mn和Cu 8种元素吸收分配的影响.结果表明:‘翠冠'梨不同器官B浓度大小为叶片>根系>茎,随营养液B浓度增加,‘翠冠'梨根、茎、叶B浓度呈增加的趋势,营养液B浓度越高根系B浓度增加幅度越大,不同处理间差异显著.高B处理明显影响‘翠冠'梨苗8种矿质元素在根、茎、叶中的分配.根中P、K、Mg、Zn、Mn和cu浓度随营养液B浓度增加而提高,Ca和Fe浓度随营养液B浓度增加而降低,而转运系数均随B浓度增加而增大;茎中P、Ca、Mg、Zn、Mn和Cu浓度随营养液B浓度增加而提高,K和Fe随营养液B浓度增加而降低,P和K转运系数随B浓度增加而增大,Fe无明显变化,其他元素的转运系数随营养液B浓度增加而降低;叶中P、K、Mn和Cu浓度随营养液B浓度增加而提高,Fe和Zn则相反,而Ca和Mg则先升高后降低,除Zn与Mn外,其他元素的转运系数随营养液B浓度增加而增大.     

Comparison of Trace Elements in the Scalp Hair of Malignant and Benign Breast Lesions Versus Healthy Women

Trace elements including Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn were analyzed in the scalp hair samples of women with malignant breast lesions, women with benign breast lesions, and healthy donors using atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In the scalp hair of malignant-tumor patients, the highest average concentration was shown by Ca (1,187 μg/g), followed by Na (655 μg/g), Mg (478 μg/g), Zn (391 μg/g), Sr (152 μg/g), Fe (114 μg/g), and K (89.8), while in the case of benign-tumor patients, the average estimated element levels were 1,522, 1,093, 572, 457, 217, 80.4, and 74.7 μg/g, respectively. Most of the elements exhibited non-normal distribution evidenced by large spread, standard error, and skewness values. Mean concentrations of Ca (634 μg/g), Zn (206 μg/g), Mg (162 μg/g), Fe (129 μg/g), and Na (82.1 μg/g) were noteworthy in the scalp hair of healthy women. Average levels of Na, Sr, K, Cd, Co, Pb, Mg, Ca, Zn, Ni, Sb, and Mn were revealed to be significantly higher in the hair of malignant and benign patients compared to the healthy women; however, Fe, Cu, Al, and Cr were not significantly different in the scalp hair of the three groups. The quartile distributions of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Sr revealed maximum spread in the scalp hair of malignant and benign groups; nevertheless, Al, Cu, Fe, and Zn exhibited almost comparable quartile levels in the three groups. Strong correlation coefficients were found between Fe and Cd, Al and Na, Mn and Sr, Co and Cr, Cd and Cr, Pb and K, Pb and Mn, Cu and Na, and Al and Fe in the scalp hair of malignant-tumor patients, while Fe and K, Cd and Co, Na and Co, and Cr and Pb showed strong correlations in the scalp hair of benign-tumor patients, both of which were significantly different compared with the healthy subjects. Multivariate cluster analysis also revealed divergent clustering of the elements in the scalp hair of malignant and benign patients in comparison with the healthy women.     

Toxic and Essential Mineral Elements Content of Black Tea Leaves and Their Tea Infusions Consumed in Iran

The metal contents of eleven black tea samples, four cultivated in Iran and seven imported, and their tea infusions were determined. Twelve elements consisting toxic metals (Al, As, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni) and essential mineral elements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ca, and Mg) were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Al, Ca, Mg, and Mn ranged in black tea leaves at mg g⁻¹ levels, while Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn were at μg g⁻¹ levels. Analysis of variance showed no statistically significant differences among most elements determined in cultivated and imported black teas in Iran except for Ni and Cu. The extraction efficiency of each element into tea infusions was evaluated. The solubility of measured metals in infusion extracts varied widely and ranged from 0 to 59.3%. Among the studied elements, Cr, Pb, and Cd showed the lowest rates of solubility and Ni had the highest rates of solubility. The amount of toxic metals and essential mineral elements that one may take up through consumption of black tea infusion was estimated. The amount of realizing each element into tea infusions and acceptable daily intake, for safety consumption of black tea, was compared.     

Screening of Trace Metals in the Plasma of Breast Cancer Patients in Comparison with a Healthy Population

The plasmas of breast cancer patients and healthy donors were analyzed for selected trace metals by a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In the plasma of breast cancer patients, mean concentrations of macronutrients/essential metals, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn were 3584, 197.0, 30.80, 6.740, 5.266, and 6.170 ppm, respectively, while the mean metal levels in the plasma of healthy donors were 3908, 151.0, 72.40, 17.70, 6.613, and 2.461 ppm, respectively. Average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn were noted to be significantly higher in the plasma of breast cancer patients compared with healthy donors. Very strong mutual correlations (r > 0.70) in the plasma of breast cancer patients were observed between Cd–Pb, Cr–Li, Li–K, Li–Cd, K–Cr, Li–Pb, Cr–Co, Cu–Ni, Co–K, Cd–K, and K–Pb, whereas, Al–Cr, Ca–Zn, Cd–Sb, Cd–Zn, Ca–Mg, Fe–Zn, and Na–Mn exhibited strong relationships (r > 0.60) in the plasma of healthy donors. The cluster analysis revealed considerably different apportionment of trace metals in the two groups of donors. The average metal concentrations of different age groups of the two donor categories were also evaluated, which showed the build-up of Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Li, Pb, Sb, and Zn in the plasma of breast cancer patients. The role of some trace metals in carcinogenesis is also discussed. The study indicated appreciably different patterns of metal distribution and correlation in the plasma of breast cancer patients in comparison with the healthy population.     

Comparative Evaluation of Trace Metal Distribution and Correlation in Human Malignant and Benign Breast Tissues

Selected trace metals were analyzed in human malignant and nonmalignant (benign) breast tissue samples by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In malignant tissues, dominant mean concentrations were revealed by Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Al at 927, 552, 231, 61.7, 36.5, 18.3, and 8.94 microg/g, respectively, while the mean metal levels in benign tissues were 903, 435, 183, 63.3, 24.7, 14.5, and 10.1 microg/g, respectively. Average concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, K, Ca, and Zn were noted to be significantly higher in the malignant tissues compared with the benign tissues. Significantly strong correlations (r > 0.50) in malignant tissues were observed between Mn and Co, Mn and Cd, Cd and Cr, Fe and Mn, Cd and Co, Fe and Co, Mg and Pb, Cd and Fe, Mg and Ni, Pb and Ni, Ni and Sr, and Fe and Pb, whereas, Cd and Co, Cd and Mn, Co and Mg, Co and Mn, Cu and Mn, Co and Ni, Mg and Ni, Cd and Cu, Cd and Ni, Ca and Mg, Mn and Pb, Cu and Ni, Fe and Ni, Cd and Mg, Co and Cu, Cr and Na, and Cd and Cr revealed strong and significant relationships in benign tissues at p < 0.001. Principal component analysis of the metals data yielded six principal components for malignant tissues and five principal components for benign tissues, with considerably different loadings, duly supported by cluster analysis. The study revealed a considerably different pattern of distribution and mutual correlations of trace metals in the breast tissues of benign and cancerous patients.     

Changes of heavy metal concentrations in cross-sections of human femur head

The concentrations of 12 elements (Ni, Ma, Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, K, Na, Ca) were determined in cross-sections of human femur heads. The highest concentrations of these elements was found in the cortical bone, and the lowest concentrations occurred in the trabecular bone, with exception of the E cross-section, in which the lowest values were found in articular cartilage. The average concentrations of Na, Ca, K, and Mg were highest in cortical bone and lowest in articular cartilage. Pb was found in higher concentrations in articular cartilage and lowest in trabecular bone, with exception of cross-sections A and E. The Fe contents in the cortical parts were highest in cross-sections A, B, and D. Cu was highest in cross-sections B, C, and D of articular cartilage. These results show that the contents of the selected metals in the femur head varied considerably. As expected, the largest concentrations were found in the outmost part of cross-section E and the lowest in its innermost one, possibly related to mechanical stress.     

Elemental Profile of Propolis from Different Areas of Serbia

Propolis is a resinous natural substance collected by honeybees from different plant sources. The element content of propolis is influenced by the content of elements in the soil, climatic factors, and the degree of pollution. The aim of the study was to characterize element composition and content of toxic elements in 51 propolis collected from different locations in Serbia and to evaluate the differences among them. Determination of the 21 elements were performed using Inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry. K was the most abundant element, followed by Ca, Mg, Si, Fe, Zn, and Al. The microelements B, Ba, Mn, Na, Pb, and Ti were also present in propolis, while Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Sr, and V were found in trace. Toxic elements such as Pb, As, and Cd were found in the trace. Kruskal-Wallis tests differentiate groups of samples by geographical origin. The presence of B, Fe, Sr, Ti, Zn, and As demonstrated statistical significance between six regions of Serbia.     

Minor and trace elements in human milk from Guatemala,Hungary, Nigeria,Philippines, Sweden,and Zaire

Concentrations of As, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, V, and Zn were determined in human whole milk samples from Guatemala, Hungary, Nigeria, Philippines, Sweden, and Zaire; in most of these countries, three groups of subjects representing different socioeconomic conditions were studied. Analytical quality control was a primary consideration throughout. The analytical techniques used were atomic absorption spectrophotometry, atomic emission spectrometry with an inductively coupled plasma, colorimetry, electrochemistry, using an ion-selective electrode and neutron activation analysis. The differences between median concentrations of Ca, Cl, Mg, K, Na, and P (minor elements) were lower than 20% among the six countries. Among trace elements, concentrations observed in Filipino milk for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, and V were higher than for milk samples from other countries. The remaining five countries showed a mixed picture of high and low values. In the case of at least some elements, such as, F, I, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Se, the environment appears to play a major role in determining their concentrations in human milk. The nutritional status of the mother, as reflected by her socioeconomic status, does not appear to influence significantly the breast milk concentrations of minor and trace elements. Significant differences exist between the actual daily intakes observed in this study and current dietary recommendations made by, for example, WHO and the US National Academy of Sciences. These differences are particularly large (an order of magnitude or more!) for Cr, F, Fe, Mn, and Mo; for other elements, such as, Ca, Cu, Mg, P, and Zn, they amount to at least a factor 2. In the opinion of the present authors, these findings point to the need for a possible reassessment of the dietary requirements of young infants with respect to minor and trace elements, particularly for the elements Ca, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, P, and Zn.     

Investigation of Trace Element Content in the Seeds,Pulp, and Peel of Mashui Oranges Using Microwave Digestion and ICP-MS Analysis

Fresh Mashui orange samples were pretreated with microwave digestion using an HNO₃-H₂O₂ system. The levels of Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in the seeds, pulp, and peel were then determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) combined with collision cell technology (CCT) and kinetic energy discrimination (KED). The standard curve coefficient of determinations of the ten tested elements were between 0.9995 and 0.9999. The instrument detection limit was between 0.112 ng/L and 3.05 ng/mL. The method detection limit was between 0.0281 and 763 ng/g. The average recovery rate was between 85.0 and 117%. The current results showed that Mashui oranges are rich in three elements, namely Mg, K, and Ca. The concentrations of K and Ca were significantly higher than that of Mg in the peel. The content of K was the highest in the seeds. Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn had the second highest concentrations, and Fe was the highest in the seeds, while Cu was the lowest in the peel. As, Cd, and Pb (hazardous elements) had the lowest concentrations of all the tested elements.     

不同放牧率对旱黄梅衣生物量和化学元素组成的影响

对羊草草原群落中旱黄梅衣生物量和化学元素组成与放牧率关系的研究表明,轻度放牧(1.33只羊     

Medical application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for assessment of trace element and mineral in biosamples: Laboratory and clinical validity of the method

BackgroundBiomedical application is based on the use of LIBS-derived data on chemical contents of tissues in diagnosis of diseases, forensic investigation, as well as a mechanism for providing online feedback for laser surgery. Although LIBS has certain advantages, the issue of correlation of LIBS-derived data on chemical element content in different human and animal tissues with other methods, and especially ICP-MS, remains pertinent. The objective of the present review was to discuss the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for elemental analysis of human biosamples or tissues from experimental models of human diseases. Methods. A systematic search in the PubMed-Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using the terms laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS, metals, trace elements, minerals, and names of particular chemical elements was performed up through 25 February, 2023. Of all extracted studies only those dealing with human subjects, human tissues, in vivo animal and in vitro cell line models of human diseases were reviewed in detail. Results. The majority of studies revealed a wide number of metals and metalloids in solid tissues including teeth (As, Ag, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Ni, P, Pb, Sn, Sr, Ti, and Zn), bones (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, K, Mg, Na, Pb, Sr), and nails (Al, As, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, Pb, Si, Sr, Ti, Zn). At the same time, LIBS was also used for estimation of trace element and mineral content in hair (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Zn), blood (Al, Ca, Co, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Si, Sn, Zn), cancer tissues (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, K, Na, Zn) and other tissues. Single studies revealed satisfactory correspondence between quantitative LIBS and ICP-OES/MS data on the level of As (81–93 %), Pb (94–98 %), Cd (50–94 %) in teeth, Cu (97–105 %), Fe (117 %), Zn (88–117 %) in hair, Ca (97–99 %), Zn (90–95 %), and Pb (61–82 %) in kidney stones. LIBS also estimated specific patterns of trace element and mineral content associated with multiple pathologies, including caries, cancer, skin disorders, and other systemic diseases including diabetes mellitus type 2, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, etc. Data obtained from in situ tissue LIBS analysis were profitably used for discrimination between tissue types. Conclusions. Taken together, the existing data demonstrate the applicability of LIBS for medical studies, although further increase in its sensitivity, calibration range, cross-validation, and quality control is required.