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Denmark’s National Food Institute Employs Thermo Scientific ICP-MS to Speciate Arsenic and Measure Nanoparticles in Food

18 Dec 2012

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced that The National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), has adopted a Thermo Scientific iCAP Q inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for research supporting EU Commission development of standards for arsenic and nanomaterials in food.

Dr. Erik Huusfeldt Larsen, senior researcher at The National Food Institute, (DTU) and his Metals, Minerals & Nano Group at DTU are using the iCAP Q ICP-MS system to determine the species of arsenic found in food samples. EU Commission researchers have found that it is no longer adequate to measure total arsenic in food because small amounts of inorganic arsenic can be associated with diseases such as cancers of the skin and bladder, while organic arsenic is much less toxic. Larsen notes that until recently, arsenic contamination was associated mainly with fish and other marine products; but in recent years, arsenic found in drinking water, rice and wheat have also attracted public attention.

This work supports the European Confidence project which aims to develop easy-to-use methods of analysis for contaminants, including inorganic arsenic. In this project, the iCAP Q instrument will be used for selective and sensitive detection of arsenic following solid phase extraction.

Dr. Larsen's group also collaborates on the EU-funded NanoLyse project for determination of nanoparticles including silver, silica and organic nanoparticles in the food matrix. The iCAP Q system will be used in "single particle" ICP-MS mode for determination of metallic nanoparticles in food.

”This technology gives us the capability to detect and count individual nanoparticles in food, and this is very important,” said Dr. Larsen. “We need to know more than just the size of the particles present, we must also be able to determine the number-based size distribution of particles in a sample. This matters because toxic effects are likely to be associated with the huge surface area of nanoparticles.”

“Our company has enjoyed supporting the work of the National Food Institute for a number of years, and this cooperative effort is an extension of this relationship,” said Adrian Holley, Thermo Fisher director of marketing, Trace Elemental Analysis. “Few things affect quality of life more than food quality, and we’re resolutely committed to providing food scientists with an extremely wide range of the best possible measurement tools.”

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Mass SpectrometryMass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify and quantify molecules based on the mass-to-charge ratio of gas-phase ions. It provides detailed information about the structure, composition, and properties of compounds and is widely used across fields such as environmental monitoring, materials science, drug discovery and development, food and beverage testing, and wider chemical research. Key MS techniques include tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LS-MS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS). Choosing from these wide range of techniques and technologies can be a daunting task, so keep up to date with scientific applications, performance expectations, and customer reviews here all in one place. Visit our product directory to receive quotes direct from the manufacturer. NanotechnologyNanotechnology, or nanotech, is an engineering technique using molecular scale functional systems. Applications of nanotechnology include medicine and medical devices, electronics, air and water purification, food science and energy production.Food SafetyFood safety describes the prevention of food-borne illnesses. Contamination with a variety of pathogens can be prevented with adequate temperature control, hygiene and labeling. Food samples can be tested using GC/MS, HPLC, SPE, and qPCR to ensure their adherence to regulations.Food TestingFood testing refers to a variety experiments including PCR, mass spectrometry, processing, QuEChERS, analyzing and Kjeldahl.ToxicityToxicity is defined as the degree to which a substance can harm humans or animals. It is essential to study the toxicity of pharmaceutical products during the development process so that optimum dosage can be established for the administration of the drug.NanomaterialsNanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and nanoparticles are a group of materials that measure between 1-1000nm for a single unit. Analysis techniques include AFM, electron microscopy and super resolution microscopy.ArsenicArsenic is a toxic element that is used in the production of pesticides. Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a major issue for both drinking water and for uptake in foodstuffs such as rice.Single Molecule DetectionNanoparticlesNanoparticles are between 1-100nm in size. Nanoparticles can be used for a wide variety of applications including biomedical, catalysis and electronics.Food QualityFood quality refers to the attributes of food that influence its safety, nutrition, and taste. Monitoring and ensuring food quality are essential in production to meet health regulations and consumer expectations. Techniques like spectroscopy, chromatography, and microbial testing are used to assess food properties and detect contaminants. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find food quality testing solutions; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.

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Denmark’s National Food Institute Employs Thermo Scientific ICP-MS to Speciate Arsenic and Measure Nanoparticles in Food