Psittaciformes mineral feed analysis method choice and optimization employing chemometric tools

In this work, a multivariated approach based on factorial design and principal component analysis was used to perform the optimization of sample decomposition. The method was applied for the first time to quantify several chemical elements (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, Se and Zn) in Psittaciformes feed. The choice of the best sample decomposition method is a challenging task considering all variables involved in the process. Generally, this choice is made by using individual monovariated experiments and sometimes interaction effects between these variables as mass of the sample, acid composition, temperature, etc, are not considered. Sample decomposition: 200 mg of sample was mixed with 3.5 mL of HNO3 65% and left at room temperature for 24 h, in a pre-decomposition step, heated at 150 °C for 50 minutes employing a digestion block and mixed with 1.5 mL of H2O2 in the last ten minutes of decomposition. Chemical analysis: A total of 44 samples of Psittaciformes feed digests, among extruded feed, flour and snacks), purchased at pet stores or similar stores in six states in Brazil, were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Method accuracy was assessed using certified reference materials SRM 1567a, SRM 1573a, SRM 1577b and IMEP 19. The limits of detection (LoD) and quantification (LoQ) ranged from 0.02 mg kg−1 to 0.07 mg kg−1 (Se) and from 1.79 mg kg−1 to 5.41 mg.kg−1 (Ca), respectively. The concentration of chemical elements in animal food ranged from