Extending ICP-MS Capabilities to Detect Nanoparticles in Food

Due to its speed, multi-element capability, low detection limits, and wide dynamic range, the Agilent 7800 ICP-MS is widely used for routine analysis of food products. However, changes to food safety regulations and rising consumer awareness have increased demand for nanoparticle (NP) monitoring in food, in addition to the determination of the total elemental content.

In this study, the 7800 ICP-MS was fitted with the standard MicroMist glass concentric nebulizer, quartz Scott-type spray chamber, and nickel interface cones. The standard torch was replaced with a quartz torch with a 1.0 mm i.d. injector, as usual for NP applications. The optional Single Nanoparticle analysis and Advanced Acquisition modules were added to the ICP-MS MassHunter software to enable fast time resolved analysis (TRA) and integrated, multi-element single nanoparticle (sNP) data processing. Fast TRA mode uses 100 μs integration times with no settling time between measurements. This provides the optimum balance between sensitivity and acquisition speed.

Thirteen elements were selected for sNP monitoring, based on the potential major and trace element content of NPs in infant formula. The ORS4 collision/reaction cell was operated in no gas mode for Ag, Ba, and Pb, and with helium (He) collision gas for Al, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn. Gas modes and analyte masses are acquired sequentially within a single visit to the sample vial, providing high throughput multi-element NP screening without compromising data quality. After setting the optimum nebulizer gas flow for the 1.0 mm i.d. torch, the plasma and tune settings were optimized automatically using batch autotune.

To learn more, download the full application note HERE