Detection and characterization of metal-based nanoparticles in environmental, biological and food samples by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

Abstract Expanded use, production and consequent release of metal-based engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in environment, food and biological systems have raised concerns about their potential toxic effects on humans and ecosystems. To evaluate their presence and establish nano-related risk assessment, the analytical methods for their detection in complex samples are needed. Among the existing techniques, single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) has shown a potential for quantification and characterization of metal-containing NPs in various complex matrices due to its high sensitivity, selectivity and fast analysis. This book chapter provides an overview of the published spICP-MS applications relevant to the NPs analysis in environmental, food and biological systems. In addition to the advantages, some limitations of spICP-MS are also emphasized. Two analytical challenges commonly encountered in spICP-MS analysis of metal-based NPs in complex samples are discussed in more detail, i.e., optimization of sample preparation procedure prior spICP-MS and spICP-MS analysis of NPs that suffer from strong spectral interferences. The importance of selecting suitable sample preparation is demonstrated by applying and comparing two different pre-treatment procedures for characterization of silver NPs in human placenta tissue by spICP-MS. The use of different reaction gases in combination with MS/MS technology is highlighted as promising approach for interference-free measurement by spICP-MS. Its applicability is demonstrated on the example of spICP-MS analysis of Fe-containing NPs in environmental samples and TiO2 NPs in calcium-rich food samples.