Multi-flow calibration (MFC) is based on monitoring the analytical signal from a single calibration standard solution at several different nebulization gas flow rates (Q), which normalizes plasma conditions and minimizes matrix effects. In the present study, MFC was evaluated, for the first time, applied to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to analyze different and complex-matrix samples. Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn were determined by ICP OES, while As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mo, Mn, Ni, Se, Sb, Pb, and V were determined by ICP-MS. MFC results were compared with those obtained using external standard calibration (EC) for both techniques and in all cases, MFC showed equal or superior accuracy (recoveries between 80-120%) compared to EC, and lower relative standard deviation (RSDs ≤ 10%). Several tests were also performed using only two nebulization gas flows to build linear models for calibration (called two-flow calibration, TFC) and the accurate results (recoveries ranged from 80 to 110% for ICP OES and from 81 to 102% for ICP-MS) suggests that this strategy can be also applied, resulting in a method with high sample throughput.

The multi-energy calibration (MEC) was evaluated for the determination of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, S, and Zn in meat samples by inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometry (ICP OES). This calibration method consists of using only two calibration standards and several atomic and ionic emission wavelengths with different sensitivities to determine the analyte concentration in the sample. Both calibration mixtures are prepared using the same amount of sample, which contributes to minimize matrix effects. The accuracy was evaluated using two certified reference materials, bovine liver (SRM 1577c) and bovine muscle (SRM 8414), with recoveries within 87-107% range. The method was applied for the determination of the analytes in meats of chicken, sheep loin, sheep carcass and bovine, and prove to be usable in samples with different characteristics.