Abstract: A method for the simultaneous determination of 14 trace elements (Al, Cr, Fe, Co, Cd, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, As, Se, Sn, Sb and Pb) in Chinese mature vinegar was developed by microwave digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The best results for the recovery of the analytes were obtained employing a digestion system composed of 7 mL of nitric acid and 1 mL of hydrogen peroxide. Good linear relationship was found for all the elements (r ≥ 0.999). The detection limits of the method ranged from 0.003 mg/L to 1.035 mg/L. The average recoveries were 80.03%－121.13%, with a relative standard deviation of 1.68%－16.78%. Significant differences in the content of each trace element were found among three commercial vinegar samples packaged with plastic, glass and ceramic materials, respectively.

Key words: mature vinegar, microwave digestion, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), trace metal elements