Characterization and quantification of silver nanoparticles in nutraceuticals and beverages by asymmetric flow field flow fractionation coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

This study evaluated the feasibility of asymmetric flow field flow fractionation coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (AF4-ICP-MS) for separation, characterization and quantification of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in complex nutraceutical and beverage samples. For improved determination, different analysis conditions were proposed depending on the NP size, i.e. below 20nm and in the 20–60nm range. After optimization of the different experimental parameters affecting the AF4 separation process and the analyte detection, the proposed methods showed a wide dynamic linear range (i.e., in the 10–1000μgL−1) and limits of detection below 28ngL−1. A previous probe ultrasonication for 90s (corresponding to 45 pulses of 2s) of the tested samples resulted in complete AgNPs disaggregation. As a result, a fast accurate determination was achieved (complete analysis was done in ca. 37min). The practicality of the proposed methodology for the intended determination was demonstrated by successful determination of the AgNPs present in a variety of nutraceuticals and a beverage at concentration levels in the 0.7–29.5×103μgL−1 range. A good agreement was observed among these concentration data and those determined by more conventional sample preparation techniques, such as ultracentrifugation and acid digestion. Also, the estimated NP sizes using AF4 compared satisfactorily with those determined by image techniques, i.e. transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All together demonstrated the utility of this novel analytical methodology for the analysis of AgNPs of different size in complex matrices.