Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis: A powerful tool in biomedical research and diagnosis

Abstract

The Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis is a technique of elemental analysis associated to electron microscopy based on the generation of characteristic Xrays that reveals the presence of elements present in the specimens. The EDX microanalysis is used in different biomedical fields by many researchers and clinicians. Nevertheless, most of the scientific community is not fully aware of its possible applications. The spectrum of EDX microanalysis contains both semi-qualitative and semi-quantitative information. EDX technique is made useful in the study of drugs, such as in the study of drugs delivery in which the EDX is an important tool to detect nanoparticles (generally, used to improve the therapeutic performance of some chemotherapeutic agents). EDX is also used in the study of environmental pollution and in the characterization of mineral bioaccumulated in the tissues. In conclusion, the EDX can be considered as a useful tool in all works that require element determination, endogenous or exogenous, in the tissue, cell or any other sample.

Keywords: Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis; asbestos; calcifications; nanoparticles.; transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy.

Figure 1.

SEM and TEM EDX microanalysis. A) Characteristics X-rays was originated from the transitions of electrons from higher shells to lower shells by atoms of the specimen interacted with electrons beam. B) Scanning electron micrograph shows breast adipocyte cells (1000x). C) Transmission electron micrograph displays a psammomabody in a carotid plaque (30,000x). D) The Osmium used for lipid fixation is detected by SEM-EDX microanalysis. E) EDX spectrum demonstrate that psammoma-body is made of hydroxyapatite.