In Min Hwang

Analysis of minor and trace elements in milk and yogurts by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

This study aimed at analysing the content of 22 minor and trace elements in milk and yogurts from South Korea, using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), after digestion using heating block. The analytical method was validated by detection limits, precision, accuracy and recovery experiments, obtaining satisfactory results in all cases. Results of both minor and trace elements were found mostly similar in all varieties of milk and yogurts studied. Copper and manganese were comparatively high in fruit mixed yogurts, while selenium was high in milk samples. The overall concentrations of minor elements were found to have good nutritional values in accordance to RDA. Zn showed the highest concentration, followed by Rb, Se, Sr and Cr. The level of toxic trace elements, including As, Cd and Pb were very low and did not pose any threat to consumers.

Method validation for simultaneous determination of chromium, molybdenum and selenium in infant formulas by ICP-OES and ICP-MS

This study aimed to validate the analytical method for simultaneous determination of chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), and selenium (Se) in infant formulas available in South Korea. Various digestion methods of dry-ashing, wet-digestion and microwave were evaluated for samples preparation and both inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were compared for analysis. The analytical techniques were validated by detection limits, precision, accuracy and recovery experiments. Results showed that wet-digestion and microwave methods were giving satisfactory results for sample preparation, while ICP-MS was found more sensitive and effective technique than ICP-OES. The recovery (%) of Se, Mo and Cr by ICP-OES were 40.9, 109.4 and 0, compared to 99.1, 98.7 and 98.4, respectively by ICP-MS. The contents of Cr, Mo and Se in infant formulas by ICP-MS were found in good nutritional values in accordance to nutrient standards for infant formulas CODEX values.

Determination of minor and trace elements in aromatic spices by micro-wave assisted digestion and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

This study aimed at analyzing the concentrations of 23 minor and trace elements in aromatic spices by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), after wet digestion by microwave system. The analytical method was validated by linearity, detection limits, precision, accuracy and recovery experiments, obtaining satisfactory values in all cases. Results indicated the presence of variable amounts of both minor and trace elements in the selected aromatic spices. Manganese was high in cinnamon (879.8 μg/g) followed by cardamom (758.1 μg/g) and clove (649.9 μg/g), strontium and zinc were high in ajwain (489.9 μg/g and 84.95 μg/g, respectively), while copper was high in mango powder (77.68 μg/g). On the whole some of the minor and essential trace elements were found to have good nutritional contribution in accordance to RDA. The levels of toxic trace elements, including As, Cd, and Pb were very low and did not found to pose any threat to consumers.

Elemental profiling and geographical differentiation of Ethiopian coffee samples through inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and direct mercury analyzer (DMA).

This study was aimed to establish the elemental profiling and provenance of coffee samples collected from eleven major coffee producing regions of Ethiopia. A total of 129 samples were analyzed for forty-five elements using inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-optical emission spectroscopy (OES), ICP-mass spectrometry (MS) and direct mercury analyzer (DMA). Among the macro elements, K showed the highest levels whereas Fe was found to have the lowest concentration values. In all the samples, Ca, K, Mg, P and S contents were statistically significant (p<0.05). Micro elements showed the concentrations order of: Mn>Cu>Sr>Zn>Rb>Ni>B. Contents of the trace elements were lower than the permissible standard values. Inter-regions differentiation by cluster analysis (CA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and principal component analysis (PCA) showed that micro and trace elements are the best chemical descriptors of the analyzed coffee samples.

Geographical origin authentication of pork using multi-element and multivariate data analyses.

In the recent years, consumers have become increasingly concerned about the authenticity and labeling claims associated with meat and meat based products. In this study, investigating geographical origin authenticity of pork, 323 samples of pork belly were collected from Korea, USA, Germany, Austria, Netherlands and Belgium. These were analyzed for twenty-nine macro and trace elements using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and ICP-mass spectrometry (MS). The applied analytical techniques were validated by quality assurance parameters in which the values of correlation coefficient, limits of detection and quantification, precision, and spiking recovery confirmed that the methods were well efficient and in accordance to the criteria set by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) for metals analysis. From the results of multivariate analyses, it was found that the trace elements are promising constituents which could be used to accurately determine the inter-continental provenance of pork.

Determination of Essential and Toxic Elements in Vegetables from South Korea

ABSTRACT This study reports the determination of trace essential (Co, Cr, Cu, Se, and Zn) and toxic (Al, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) elements in greenhouse tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers from supermarkets of Seoul, Busan, Gangneung, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju, South Korea using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and direct mercury analysis. The methods were validated by linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, accuracy, and recovery measurements that provided satisfactory results in all cases. Among the essential trace elements, Zn was found to have the highest concentrations (0.84–2.5 mg/kg) followed by Cu (0.21–0.62 mg/kg) and Cr (0.01–0.06 mg/kg). The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of the toxic elements were in the order Al > Pb > As > Cd > Hg for tomatoes and cucumbers and Al > Pb > Cd > As > Hg for peppers; all were below the permissible limits set by World Health Organization for human consumption. The estimated dietary intake, target hazard quotients (THQs), and hazard indices of the samples were within safe levels. The combined THQ values for the toxic elements in the vegetables were from 0.002 to 0.012 with significant contribution from arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, and mercury. The results of this study show that trace and toxic elements in the analyzed vegetables do not impose any serious health harmful effects for the population upon consumption.

Elemental Analysis of Sea, Rock, and Bamboo Salts by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission and Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT The present study reports the determination of mineral nutrients and toxic elements of sea, rock, and roasted bamboo salts from China, India, France, Australia, Nepal, Argentina, and South Korea. Mineral nutrients including macro (Ca, K, Mg, Na, and S), micro (B, Cu, Fe, Sr, Mn, and V), trace (Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Ga, Li, Ni, Rb, Se, and Zn), and toxic (Al, Cd, Cs, In, Pb, and Tl) elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The detection limits were from 7.032 (Mg) to 13.915 (S) and 0.023 (Sr) to 0.228 (Ba) ng/g for ICP-OES and ICP-MS, respectively. The recoveries for fortified samples were from 91.3 to 107.6%. The concentrations of B, Ba, Be, Cs, Ga, In, Rb, Tl, and V were reported for the first time. In terms of mineral nutrients, the order was roasted salt > sea salt > rock salt. In addition, the only toxic element in roasted bamboo salt was aluminum. The concentrations of the elements were comparable to literature values and met regulatory guidelines. Roasted bamboo salt was shown to be a rich source of nutrients and provided the lowest concentrations of toxic elements. All salt types were shown to be safe for human consumption.

Determination of Mineral Elements in Milk Products by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry

The determination of mineral elements in milk products is of great importance since their excess or deficiency may affect human health. In this study, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and iron were determined in milk products from South Korea. The samples were wet-digested by microwave-assisted combustion using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The method was validated by sensitivity, linearity, precision, recovery checks, and the analysis of a milk powder certified reference material. The elemental concentrations were similar in the milk products. Calcium and potassium were the most abundant, followed by phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, and iron. All concentrations were comparable to previous values and were within the limits of recommended dietary allowances and tolerable upper levels.

Determination of Radiation Induced Hydrocarbons in Irradiated Camembert and Processed Cheese by GC-MS

Food irradiation processing needs proper control to facilitate consumer assurance, choice, and protection, including accurate detection of irradiated food. This study was aimed at analyzing hydrocarbons induced by gamma and electron beam irradiation in Camembert and processed cheeses. The samples were irradiated at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 kGy doses of γ-rays and an electron beam. The induced hydrocarbons were separated on a florisil column and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The detected hydrocarbons were pentadecane and 1-tetradecene from palmitic acid, heptadecane and 1-hexadecene from stearic acid, and 8-heptadecene and 1,7-hexadecadiene from oleic acid. The concentrations of the radiation-induced hydrocarbons increased with irradiation dose. Among the induced hydrocarbons, 1-tetradecene and 1,7-hexadecadiene were found to be the major hydrocarbons in the cheese samples. For most irradiation doses, the concentration of hydrocarbons induced by the electron beam was slightly higher than by gamma rays. These hydrocarbons were detected only in irradiated samples at 1 kGy or above, and not in the nonirradiated ones. It was concluded that the detected hydrocarbons were good markers to distinguish irradiated and nonirradiated cheese.

Determination of Essential and Toxic Elements in Tropical Fruit by Microwave-Assisted Digestion and Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT The concentrations of eight essential (Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Se, V, and Zn) and five toxic elements (Al, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) were determined in 457 samples of commonly consumed fresh tropical fruit including bananas (Musa acuminata), kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa), mangos (Mangifera indica), and pineapple (Ananas comosus) from supermarkets from Seoul, Busan, Gangneung, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju, South Korea. The samples were digested by microwave-assisted combustion using HNO3 and H2O2 and determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The Hg concentrations were evaluated by furnace-gold amalgamation direct mercury analysis. The techniques were validated by linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, recovery, and the analysis of a NIST-1570a spinach leaves certified reference material. The concentrations of essential elements varied considerably among the tropical fruit. Overall, the tropical fruit was higher in Mn (0.027–13.2 µg/g) and Zn (0.514–2.20 µg/g), while lower in Co (0.002–0.005 µg/g) and V (0.001–0.002 µg/g). The concentrations (µg/g) of toxic elements were 0.001 (kiwi) to 0.003 (mango) for As and Cd, 0.0004 (pineapple) to 0.002 (banana) for Hg, and 0.005 (kiwi) to 0.013 (mango) for Pb. The calculated values of estimated dietary intake, target hazard quotients and hazard indices were lower than one and the safety limits established by World Health Organization. The tropical fruits were therefore safe and did not pose any threat to consumers.