Measurement of Trace Heavy Metals in Food with Nutrient Function Claims by Microwave Digestion- Furnace Method

User Benefits

- Easy measurement of trace heavy metals in “foods with nutrient function claims” (FNFCs) is possible by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA). - Sample preparation can be conducted quickly with minimal environmental pollution by using microwave digestion. - Data can be acquired with high sensitivity at the ppb order in measurements by the furnace method.

Introduction

Foods with nutrient function claims (FNFCs) are food products which are used to supplement designated nutritional components and display the functions of the nutritional components concerned. Many people use FNFCs to maintain health or to supplement nutritional components. The components which can be shown in product labeling and their content ranges are regulated, and include five types of minerals (zinc, calcium, iron, copper, magnesium) and 12 types of vitamins. In many cases, substances extracted from natural products and food additives are used as raw materials for manufacturing FNFCs. However, there is a possibility of contamination by toxic heavy metals contained in the raw materials or in the manufacturing process. Japan has set standard values for heavy metals in unpolished rice, drinking water, and food additives, and international organizations and various foreign countries have also set standard values for heavy metals in many products. This article introduces an example in which a commerciallyavailable vitamin product was decomposed by the microwave digestion method, and the heavy metals lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) were measured by the furnace method. The Microwave digestion method has various advantages, including a high decomposition capacity which enables fast decomposition treatment, small consumption of reagents, and minimal loss of volatile metals elements. The furnace method enables highly sensitive measurement of numerous elements in small samples.

December 10, 2020 GMT